Stop the presses. InsideHigherEd.com reports “Most Students Don’t Eat Enough Fruits, Vegetables” in a story on recent research from the American College Health Association.
The research said 63% of college students eat less than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables per day.
The reader comments on the story expressed no surprise at the findings. Here are a few:
- In other news, students also stay up too late and drink too much....
- I’m...stunned. And disillusioned. The next thing, they’ll be telling us that students prefer Cap’n Crunch for breakfast instead of a bowl of quinoa mixed with kale and spinach puree.
- At my university, you can stop by a snack bar and buy a giant cookie made from over-processed wheat, sugar, and who knows what for 99 cents. Or you can purchase a tiny container of fresh fruit or veggies which will set you back almost $4. What do you think a poor college student is going to choose?
The research itself offered some insight on strategies to address the problem. Availability and cost must be addressed.
From the release:
The findings, published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, show that a benefit-oriented approach to nutrition increases college students’ willingness to consume fruits and vegetables, yet the availability and cost of healthy food on campus are critical to changing their eating habits.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk for a multitude of health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes, as well as some cancers, vision problems and gastrointestinal issues. A healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables high in fiber can also help prevent obesity, which is prevalent in 14.6 percent of college students across the nation, according to a survey by the American College Health Association.
A total of 175 college students were surveyed to assess their willingness to change their diet and increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. Participants were asked to weigh pros like improved energy, meal variety and weight control against perceived disadvantages like being hungry, having less energy and not enjoying meals.
“Convincing college students it’s important to eat better is only half the battle,” said Philip Stephens, a second-year osteopathic medical student at LMU-DCOM who was involved in the study. “Getting students to actually change their behavior will mean making healthy foods easier to access and affordable for a college student’s budget.”
Students surveyed suggested changes in cafeterias such as adding vending machines that sell produce, increasing the variety of fruits offered and improving the taste and variety of cafeteria meal choices. Perhaps most important, students said produce needs to be more affordable.
According to the survey, sustaining a diet with the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables requires an emotional shift, in which students decide to eat healthy even when they are stressed or feeling low. Respondents also said keeping a diary or utilizing an app that helped track eating habits would help monitor their consumption and rectify their diet if they face difficulties. Finally, enlisting the support of family and friends appeared crucial to sustainment.
TK: We have seen the “dog bites man” story of produce underconsumption long enough. We are still waiting for the man to bite the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.
