FitSugar

Did You Gain the Freshman 15?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:30:00 -0700

New research is speculating that the infamous Freshman 15 is more realistically the Freshman Five - in the study college freshman had an average weight increase of 2.7 pounds over the year, not 15 pounds. Despite the actual number, researchers describe the college students eating in cafeterias to have similar mentalities as folks vacationing on a cruise. This provides further evidence that post-adolescence kids, when left to their own devices, can gain a good amount of weight and could use a bit more direction on healthy eating upon entering college.

I wish I could say I gained the Freshman Five, but it was definitely more like 15 - maybe even more. I had no idea about moderation when it came to food and beverages, so I definitely could have benefited from a little coaching on how to avoid the weight gain in college. So what about you guys . . .

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Healthy Read: The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0700

The worst part about college for me was the ~~classes~~ ~~dorm food~~ fact that whenever something went wrong with my health I didn't have my mom, who is a nurse, to tend to my every need. The slightest drip of my nose sent me in a crying frenzy.

Since there truly are so many things that can go on with a girl who's off to college for the first time (or seventh year), it never hurts to educate yourself (if you're that girl) or anyone else (if she's your daughter, sister, niece, etc.) on the health of a young woman. For this reason, I definitely wish I had The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide: From Sex to Drugs to the Freshman Fifteen ($11.25) when I was in school because it covers everything from dealing with the common cold, to navigating the college health center, to getting a tattoo.

While the book is definitely written for college girls, it would be a handy addition to the bookshelves of anyone from high-school girls to mothers- even fathers who want to know what the heck is going on with their daughters.

College Fit List

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 02:30:00 -0800

MSNBC reported the nation’s 25 fittest colleges (and if you're a Red Devil then you should be proud):

1. Dickinson College (Pa.)
2. Colgate University (N.Y.)
3. Boston College
4. Wheaton College (Ill.)
5. University of Vermont

To see if your school made the list, read more

6. Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.)
7. Grove City College (Pa.)
8. Texas Christian University
9. Baylor University (Texas)
10. University of Richmond (Va.)
11. University of Virginia
12. University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
13. University of California-Santa Cruz
14. Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.)
15. Albertston College of Idaho
16. Santa Clara University (Calif.)
17. Lafayette College (Pa.)
18. Georgetown University.
19. Roanoke College (Va.)
20. California Institute of Technology
21. Virginia Tech
22. University of Denver
23. Ithaca College (N.Y.)
24. University of Mary Washington (Va.)
25. Gonzaga University (Wash.)

Vegetarian Friendly Colleges

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:30:00 -0700

PETA2, PETA's answer for reaching out to the younger folks, has scoured the country for the most vegetarian friendly colleges nationwide. To see if your school or alma mater makes the top ten, read more

Indiana University-Bloomington
Humboldt State University
University of Puget Sound
Yale University
SUNY Purchase
Oberlin College
New York University
University of California-Berkeley
University of Pennsylvania
University of Florida

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Who Knew? Texting's Tied to Neck Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:00:20 -0800

Turns out excessive texting can get you more than a hefty phone bill. Though it's the preferred choice of easy communication for young adults and teens, a new study reveals that texting can actually increase upper body pain in the neck and shoulders.

Though this is only a preliminary study, the research shows that the same neck and shoulder discomfort seen in working adults is now being seen in college students between the ages of 18 and 21, specifically males. Judith Gold, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Temple University’s College of Health Professions and Social Work, says of the study's findings, "What we’ve seen so far is very similar to what we see with office workers who’ve spent most of their time at a computer. The way the body is positioned for texting - stationary shoulders and back with rapidly moving fingers - is similar to the position for typing on a computer."

Interestingly enough, the study didn't point to any texting-caused discomfort in the arms and wrists, but stay tuned - Gold says the research is just underway and further studies are likely to deliver more conclusive answers on whether this is all text-attributable neck tension.

The Dark Side of Posting Calorie Counts

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:00:05 -0700

Posting calorie counts has been nothing if not controversial. In NYC the restaurants complained, and now on college campuses students are questioning the practice. In attempts to fight the freshman 15, dining halls have begun posting calorie counts, but there have been some negative consequences. Although about a third of all college students fall into the American College Health Association's obese or overweight categories, the calorie counts might be inadvertently provoking eating disorders.

The unstructured collegiate life, along with all-you-can-eat dining halls, can lead to disordered eating, which is broader than just anorexia and bulimia and includes unhealthy dieting practices. Students and nutritional advisers alike believe calorie counts oversimplify the thought process needed to learn balanced nutrition and that there is a better way to educate vulnerable students about weight gain. Some colleges now post nutritional information online, rather than in the cafeteria, and others have created healthy dining halls, free of french fries, fried chicken, and white bread. Hopefully, higher education can incorporate lessons of healthy living into campus life and help students learn the value of healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

How do you feel about posting calorie counts? Do you feel it can inspire a negative relationship with food?

The Truth Behind the Freshman 15

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:00:59 -0700

It is back to school season and when I asked you all recently if you gained the freshman 15, many of you responded that you had indeed gained some weight; the amounts varied though. According to a new study, about one in four freshmen gain at least five percent of their body weight during their first semester at college. This averages out to be about 10 pounds - a little over two pounds per month. The freshman weight seems to strike both men and women equally for in this study, performed at a midsized Midwestern university, there was no significant difference in the amount of weight gained between women and men. What's to blame: the study points the finger at all you can eat dining halls on most college campuses.

If you or one of your loved ones are headed off to college, it is important to remember to stay active during the transition from high school to college. Endless servings of mashed potatoes and soft serve ice cream are not the best way to deal with the new stress of life on campus.

Young Doesn't Necessarily Mean Healthy

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Time at college is often looked back on as the good ol' days, but new reports indicate new trends in college aged kids might be making them old before their time.

A recent survey of 800 University of New Hampshire undergraduates found some unhealthy traits in the students surveyed. More than two-thirds of the women were not meeting their RDI's of iron, calcium or folate. While well over 50 percent of the male students had high blood pressure and 8% had metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of symptoms used as predictors for future heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In essence, those undergrads would be getting a low grade for overall health.

Public health experts fear that if this trend continues, this age group will begin to experience chronic diseases at earlier ages than previous generations.

So if you are in college and feel like you are missing those three vital nutrients, you should know the RDI for iron is 18 mg and you can find iron in beef, tofu and sun dried tomatoes. Look for folate in leafy greens and beans. Remember to eat your calcium since it is more effective at strengthening your bones if the mineral comes to you as a food source not a supplement.

Fit's Tip: Take advantage of the free gym your college has to offer. Facilities at colleges and universities are great, and when you graduate, trust me, you are going to miss having access to the free fitness center on campus.

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Celebs Like to Shake It

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:50:58 -0700

At first, the Power Plate seems like another gimmicky weight-loss product, but its website features endorsements from fit celebs like Madonna, Courteney Cox, and Hilary Swank. On top of that, it's used by over 60 college and pro sports teams, and the Police brought one with them on their reunion tour. That's some serious ~~celeb~~ street cred.

The secret behind the Power Plate is its vibrating plates. The manufacturer claims that if you stand on it for 10 minutes a day, three times a week, you'll lose weight, tone your body, and improve bone density. To really maximize the benefits of the machine, it's encouraged that you do the same exercises you would do on the floor - sit-ups, for example - on the Power Plate.

Cougar Town actress Cox says the Power Plate was essential in shaping her up for her new role: "The Power Plate machine has dramatically changed my workout. I know that every muscle in my body is being ignited in ways that you can't do with traditional training."

To see a video of Cox's trainer Michelle Lovett demonstrating the Power Plate, read more.

They call the technology behind the machine Acceleration Training: the vibrations transmit energy waves to the body that are able to contract muscles 25 to 50 times per second. This is suppose to help stimulate blood flow, work the muscles harder than ever before, and increase strength and flexibility.

Vibration training is not a new thing in the fitness world (remember the black rubber belts that used to go around the waist to shake off fat?), but it's been picking up steam especially as it garners more backing from the medical community and health professionals.

Studies done on the effects of vibration training show that if used properly, it's more beneficial at building lean muscle mass, improving weight loss, and increasing strength and speed than exercise regimens without vibration training. Researchers warn that the machines should not be used for more than 30 minutes a day due to health concerns about engaging the body in high-amplitude vibrations like back pain or blurred vision.

I remain a little skeptical, mostly because I can't get the Shake Weights infomercial out of my head, but my curiosity is piqued. My gym doesn't have a Power Plate yet, does yours? I'd love to hear what you think of this new workout.

Which Vegetarian Food Contains More Protein?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:20 -0700

When I dappled in vegetarianism in college, my mom was all over me saying, "How are you going to get enough protein?" Meat isn't the only form of protein out there, so take this quiz to see how much protein you'll find in vegetarian foods.

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Take the quiz