A late night study group ends, and talk ensues about how hungry everyone is. The students pile into their cars and head to (insert name of favorite late-night eating establishment here) to indulge in overstuffed burritos, cheese drenched French fries or a three patty hamburger. It's an experience nearly every college student can claim at some point in their college career, and it illustrates the distant relationship many students have with healthy eating habits.

According to Tufts Longitudinal Health Study, 60 percent of college students eat too much artery-clogging saturated fats often found in fast foods.

"Fast food has been a fact of life in America for a generation," said Nora Nyland, dietetics program director at BYU. "That means that this generation of college students is the first to have been raised with readily available and everywhere-present fast food as a steady part of their lives. The availability of these foods makes it possible for a student to eat without ever learning to shop or cook."

Michelle Brown, a first year master of accountancy student who eats out about three times a week, said the main reason is because it's fast and convenient.

"I think everyone is pressed for time," Brown said. "In between school work and classes, it's hard to find time to make a meal."

Even while eating out at fast food restaurants, Nyland suggested students should still monitor the food selections they make.

"While healthy choices can be made at fast food restaurants, it is very easy to eat far more calories than are needed and far fewer nutrients," she said.

Nyland also said moderation and a variety of foods is key in developing healthy eating habits.

"Healthy eating doesn't mean bean sprouts and energy bars," Nyland said. "Hamburgers and pizza can be part of a healthy diet, they just shouldn't dominate it."

Students often face unique challenges in preparing meals.

"It's sometimes pointless to buy food and prepare a meal for one person," Brown said. "When I buy groceries they just go bad because I don't eat them in time."

Nyland suggested dinner groups and preparing meals with multiple people. "Eating in dinner groups several nights a week spreads the preparation time out among several individuals."

The TLHS also showed health habits developed in college can carry into future habits.

"The worse the habits are now, the worse they will be in the future," Nyland said. "Developing healthier habits in college should create the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating."

The study also debunked the "freshman 15" myth, stating men gained an average of 5.5 pounds, and women gained an average of 4.5 pounds.

However, a similar study conducted by the St. Louis School of Medicine reported the average weight gain was closer to nine pounds.

"Part of the weight gain that may occur in college is simply a result of maturing," Nyland said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 17 Feb 2009