Healthy Knights get fit, fight fat

The "Freshman 15" isn't a myth, but it doesn't have to be a reality.

This is just one of the messages that Healthy Knights 2020 hopes to get across to students.

Inspired by the Surgeon General's "Healthy People 2020" project, Healthy Knights 2020, which started in January, examines the health needs of students and determines what support is currently in place and what additional needs must be addressed.

With help from the Health Promotion department, the Student Development and Enrollment Services, who present Healthy Knights, found that one of the major problems when examining students' health needs was that despite marketing efforts, many students were unaware of the resources offered to them.

Assistant Director of Health Promotion at the Recreation and Wellness Center, Peter Mastroianni, said the project was a joint effort designed to "break through the communication barriers that exist with so many departments working simultaneously, but separately."

According to survey results of the 2010 National College Health Assessment, the top health issues for freshmen students are stress, sleep, cold/flu, anxiety and the Internet/computers.

"Students often avoid taking advantage of services due to stigma, especially around emotional health issues," Mastroianni said.

The Wellness Center offers stress-management services that many students may not be aware of, according to Mastroianni. It offers nutrition and fitness education including cooking classes as well as programs to enhance sexual wellness.

The UCF Counseling Center offers workshops to help students cope with stress and other emotional health issues. The Real Project is also a part of the current campus health options and is centered on addiction help.

Mastroianni said that more can be done about promoting better sleep patterns, decreasing risk taking and helping students express emotions effectively.

In addition, he said students continue to struggle in finding healthy meal options that are affordable, though there are several healthy eating options on campus.

Freshman Josh Garber, an engineering major, said he is content with his options.

"There's really everything I could ask for," Garber said.

He added that, though Burger King isn't usually among his choices, he doesn't think it would be too hard to find something moderately healthy as many fast food restaurants are providing healthier options.

Instead of using the Counseling Center to cope with stress, Garber turns to a different facility.

"When I'm stressed out, I take advantage of the Fitness Center," Garber said.

Biology major Michelle Ingman prefers Subway as her main choice of campus restaurant.

She said she doesn't currently take advantage of the emotional health services on campus but has heard a lot about the Counseling Center and how welcoming it is.

Dr. J. Robert Wirag, director of UCF Health Services, said he considers Healthy Knights 2020 to be an effort that will continue through into the future.

"When we reach 2020, we expect to look back and say, ‘What a powerful, demonstrated impact we have had on helping promote the Healthy People 2020 goals,' " Wirag said.

He said the Healthy Knights 2020 website to be a "one-stop point of access" to information about health programs and services that will change frequently as new information becomes available.

"We are very excited about this Campus Health Initiative," Wirag said.

Recently, Mastroianni has taken advantage of the massage therapy services available in his department in an effort to practice what he preaches and plans to take better advantage of the new gym facilities.

"The new swimming pool," Mastroianni said, "is calling my name."