Feature: First Draft

Get Up, Get Out, Get Active

by Jenny Thomson

In about 30 minutes per day, it is possible to reduce the risk of a heart attack, diabetes or stroke, reduce the prevalence of anxiety and depression and reduce the occurrence of illnesses. In that same thirty minutes, a contribution can be made toward building healthy bones, muscles, and joints. These 30 minutes can also provide therapeutic benefits for people suffering from physical limitations or chronic disorders. Thirty minutes.

The answer isn’t the elixir of life or the fountain of youth. It’s not a magical cure-all pill or miracle gadget. It’s an hour that can be spent in- or outside the home, alone or in a group, morning or night.

It’s physical activity.

Yet despite the countless obvious and proven benefits, over half of the adults in the United States don’t participate in the recommended amount. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, at least five days per week is essential in order to maintain a healthy body, both physically and psychologically. Still, most Americans don’t bother to get up and get out. In fact, a report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 24% of American adults are inactive during their free time.

This trend is not just affecting adults. Though often ignored because they are assumed to be healthy, college students are not immune to the damage inflicted by lack of exercise. In fact, current research is showing quite the opposite: college students are unhealthy.

A recent study of 937 students conducted at Ohio State University found that the majority of those surveyed were physically inactive or exercised irregularly.

The impact is being felt nationwide. An ongoing study at the University of New Hampshire showed that almost half of male students and almost 30% of female students are considered at least overweight. A report from the University of Albany revealed that 23% of subjects were overweight while 11% were obese.

The negative effects of physical inactivity are staggering. The recent rise in obesity has also increased the prevalence of many chronic disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Obese individuals also suffer psychologically, from social discrimination and decreased self-esteem.

The list goes on.

The heath problems that result from inactivity are well documented. The CDC has devoted an entire national health objectives program, called Healthy People 2010, to improving the health of Americans by the year 2010.

According to the report, a major problem is that most college students simply aren’t provided with accurate information. The CDC estimates that a mere 36% of university students were given facts about inadequate physical activity.

Compounding the limited instruction about the importance of physical activity is the ever-growing presence of the “obesigenic environment”. More and more, students are spending their time in front of the television or the computer, watching their shows and playing video games. This is not to mention the fast food joint at ever corner whose purpose seems to be to lure penniless, busy college students to buy cheap, quick and most importantly, unhealthy, food.

Just take a stroll up to the Bronco Mall: universities like Western Michigan are even incorporating fast food choices into their meal plans.

Nutrition aside, the main obstacles preventing students from actually partaking in physical activity itself are the lack of convenient facilities and the lack of safe environments in which to be active.

This is where colleges have the ability to fight back.

In the study conducted at Ohio State University, it was found that a major contributor to whether or not students exercise is their own self-efficacy: their motivation to participate despite complications or obstacles, such as the weather. Universities can help motivate students by providing them the opportunity to be active in a pleasant and convenient setting.

It hasn’t taken long for colleges in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference to catch on.

Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan is planning a $35 million dollar expansion to their physical education and athletic facilities. The hope is that by increasing in size and in resources, students, faculty, and staff will have more opportunities to focus on recreation and holistic health.

Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan has built extensive new athletic facilities and added numerous sports teams in an effort to recruit more student-athletes to the school. Adrian’s efforts have resulted in a higher student academic profile and an increased retention rate. The addition of active people to the college has even increased overall morale.

Kalamazoo College is not slow to follow suit, either. During the Spring Quarter Campus Forum, President Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran announced that the next capital campaign for the college will be for a new, upgraded fitness facility. The facility, comprising the current natatorium and the open area just to the east of it, would feature a brand new, 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, a number of new dance and yoga studios, and an auxiliary gym for intramural and student use.

The most important step, though, is to educate students about the importance of regular physical activity so that they may make informed choices about becoming and staying active.

This is where Kalamazoo College fell behind. A Nutrition course is offered to students only once per year and required physical education credits only span five of a student’s 10 or more quarters on campus. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this is just not enough.

And, all it takes is 30 minutes.

**This is not quite 1,000. I have been trying since the end of last week to get the interviews I wanted to start with, but unfortunately with my busy Triathlon planning schedule, I couldn't meet with anyone before I needed to post this. The interviews are now set up, so I will be doing some extensive reportage during the revision period to fill this in. I'm hoping my workshop group will be able to guide me in that process!