Among today’s rapidly escalating problems, such as poverty, hunger, global warming and animal extinction, that of obesity is becoming more prominent and worthy of attention. Not surprised?
Well, you should be surprised to learn just how high and fast the obesity rate will continue to rise. This means that the chances of you, your children and your grandchildren being among that growing number will only increase, putting many at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, the prevalence of obesity rose from 15 percent in 1976 to almost 33 percent in 2004. For those who are 12 to 19 years old, it increased to 12.4 percent from 5 percent. These numbers will continue to grow, unless there is some control on an individual level.
As college students, it is understandable that we have a hard time staying healthy with the infamous foods we eat. With the recent opening of the student center, the food courts have been drawing in students for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This convenience increases the likelihood that students will eat out, instead of making their own meals. However, this can easily change.
Listed below are a few tips that can help you form a healthier diet.
1.) Eat breakfast. For those who do not eat breakfast, start! Especially on a college campus, breakfast helps to jumpstart your day in preparation for classes, studying, playing sports, etc. Coffee and donuts do not count. Get in the habit of making a bowl of whole-grain cereal or oatmeal every morning. Add a glass of orange juice or milk and maybe some fruit.
No time? Make time. You are taking care of your body for today and tomorrow, so waking up 10 or 15 minutes earlier to prepare a healthy meal is more than worth it.
Think of how much money you will save now if you buy a box of cereal and a carton of juice that will last you a week. Also, think about how much money you will save later from paying visits to the doctor for all of those health problems you accumulated from a lack of breakfast.
2.) Drink lots and lots and lots of water. Ditch the soda and other sugar-loaded drinks and make water your new best friend forever. Eat with it, sleep with it, walk and run with it, read with it and drink (with) it! Water is really what does a body good.
3.) Don’t forget the vegetables. You are a college student
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