As national obesity rates rise, UF fights back.
In Gallup-Healthways’ 2014 data regarding the obesity rate in the United States, 27.7 percent of adults were considered obese — a jump from the 25.5 percent back in 2008. For adults in the 18- to 29-year-old age range, there was a 0.3 percentage increase in obesity rates. But GatorWell, a free program for UF students, offers support and guidance so students can stay on a healthy track.
Natalie Rella, a health promotion specialist at GatorWell, said wellness coaching is a great tool for UF students to tackle unhealthy habits. The program offers one-on-one consultations and gives tips on proper diets and exercise. Students can request to meet with a nutritionist and discuss improvements to their diets.
Rella said wellness coaching is similar to a life coach in regards to academic success. The coaching involves eating healthy, tackling stress, physical activity and time-management skills.
It’s important to develop healthy behaviors and exercise choices early in life, she said. Metabolism slows down with age, but developing healthy habits early on will lessen the chances of becoming obese down the line.
“Eventually, college students become older professional adults. Healthy practices now will serve you as you’re older and beat that statistic,” Rella said. “Make a healthy choice. It’s very tempting to grab that pizza or hamburger, but it’s your choice.”
Daniela Lalinde, an 18-year-old UF nutritional science freshman, said she tries to stick to the vegetarian options and the omelet section of the dining halls in order to stay healthy. She started with the unlimited meal plan last semester, and this semester she switched to the 14 meals per week for more variety and healthier options.
“I think the idea of having unlimited pizza all day and unlimited ice cream all day definitely affects the choices we make,” Lalinde said. “Students don’t realize how all of that can accumulate in our bodies and just how bad it is for us.”
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 2/10/2015 under the headline “GatorWell takes up battle for waistlines as obesity rates rise"]
