Nutritional Habits

While physical activity can make you healthier, it's important to pair it with a healthy diet for your body to get the right nutrients and vitamins it needs to function efficiently. As college students become independent and make decisions on their own, they tend to struggle with making the appropriate dietary choices.

Food Insecurity

College students are at high risk for food insecurity. Due to the fact that most college students can not afford healthy foods, they are not educated about the resources offered on campus nor the proper eating habits for their age group. Especially with the rise of food cost, it becomes harder and harder for students to purchase healthy, unprocessed food at a reasonable price.

Poor Diet

Unhealthy foods are low in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to nutrient deficiencies and harmful weight gain. A poor diet that lacks the essential nutrients can lead to low motivation, low academic scores, an increased risk of obesity and eating disorders, as well as negative impacts on mental and physical health. College students that are not majoring in nutrition or any health related field are at a higher risk for consuming foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Factors that contribute to unhealthy eating habits in college dorms:

Convenience: Many college students prioritize comfort and speed when it comes to food choices. It may seem like a good idea in the short run, but it can lead to relying on fast food or processed snacks.
Cost: Healthy foods can often be more expensive than processed or fast food options, making it difficult for students to afford healthy meals.
Lack of cooking facilities: Many college dorms do not have full kitchens, making it challenging for students to prepare healthy meals from scratch.

Priorities

College puts immense pressure on students and their success. Students spend most of their time working on their academics and extracurricular activities, putting nutrition at the bottom of their priorities. Without consuming the essential daily nutrients, the body is unable to regulate the energy expenditure. Poor nutrient affects the brain, muscular system, and overall physical health.

RESOURCES

Colleges and Universities offer several different resources to help promote healthy eating among their students. These resources include on-campus farmer's markets, meal plans, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. However, there is a strong stigma surrounding these resources. College students are less likely to ask for assistance in regards to their health. Most students see no issue in terms of their health and diet or struggle with making time in their schedule to practice proper nutrition. This leads to students skipping meals, fasting for majority of the day, eating out, or snacking on sugary, high fat foods.

The MyPlate resource is way one to get specific information for the individual based on their metrics. It is important to sustain a diet with the correct caloric and nutrient intake in order to maintain bodily functions. Taking a nutrition course is beneficial for every college student regardless of their major. A simple introductory nutrition class will educate students on proper eating habits, different dietary plans, and ways to stay on track with their health.

Go to MyPlate.gov for more information.