The Troublesome Eating Habits of a College Student

The college years are associated with the emergence of risky health behaviors such as poor diet quality, and reduced physical activity, and maladaptive weight loss practices, and consequent weight gain (Greene 1). As college students it is difficult to maintain healthy behaviors especially when it comes to eating. We are constantly on the move trying to get to our next class, finishing homework on time and for some getting to work. In between all of this we must find the time to satisfy one of the most basic needs, to eat. However, we do not always have the option to eat a healthy meal but, must resort to eating fast food junk or unhealthy snacks. Poor nutrition and obesity are among the most important health issue facing society today (Basil 145). This quote supports the idea that this is a major problem with possible negative effects on our bodies, our minds and ultimately our health. The map I have created shows the path that I take back and forth from work. Along this path I have labeled different food establishments most of them are fast food establishments, which are labeled with caution signs, such as, Wendys, Taco Bell and McDonalds. I have also listed healthier food options, which are labeled as suns, unfortunately they are either out of my way or do not stay open very late resulting in the inevitable consumption of fast food. I have labeled the fast food restaurants with a caution sign because in my mind I associate them with something that is hazardous and fast food can possibly be dangerous for your health. Along with that I have labeled the healthier food establishments with a sun because I associate them with happiness and eating healthier could possibly make someone feel happier. Due to the healthier

options not staying open very late I am perpetually stuck in a routine where I can either starve myself or give in and eat these unhealthy foods. I have also labeled UALR with a schoolhouse and McCain Mall with a star. This allows a very wide net to be cast and it is very evident in the map of the lack of healthier options. I have chosen this path specifically mainly because, I travel it frequently to go to work and to go back to my hometown. This path is also the main road traveled by many going back and forth from home and work. Strategically the big fast food corporations have chosen the prime area for customers, due to that most people are hungry after a long day at work and maybe they skipped lunch and haven eaten all day leaving the little to no choice to eat fast food. Convenience and budget are driving forces in decision making for most people but, are they driving forces or are they barriers that prevent us from making good healthy food choices. Eating is a constant battle for people who have eating disorders or are healthily obese and fast food corporations like McDonalds are all about convenience. Even their mission statement says they are basically about being affordable and convenient. McDonald's brand mission is to be our customers' favorite place and way to eat and drink. Our worldwide operations are aligned around a global strategy called the Plan to Win, which center on an exceptional customer experience People, Products, Place, Price and Promotion. We are committed to continuously improving our operations and enhancing our customers' experience (McDonalds Website). The mission statement follows the 5 Ps one of them being Place one could infer from this that convenience is a big factor for McDonalds, I have placed this in my map by labeling the McDonalds restaurants that I pass and there are quite a few almost unreasonably to many and their only a couple healthy food establishments like tropical smoothie in the area.

With the lack of health food establishments around our campus we must dive inward and question why does UALR not provide this healthier option? Although, eating healthier is clearly more expensive would it not be more beneficial to take this extra cost so, that the students live healthier more productive lives. In this article it states Obese workers have the highest predominance of work limitations, with 6.9 percent experiencing work restrictions versus 3 percent of normal-weight workers. Obese employees are more than twice as likely to experience high-level absenteeism compared to low-risk employees (Ketter, 1). This helps support the claim that eating unhealthily can possibly lead to obesity which could cause us students to find ourselves lacking the skills we need to perform our academic best on a daily basis. It could be as simple as replacing the Taco Bell on campus to a Tropical Smoothie. Even though, the university would have to spend some extra money on doing this it could very well pay off in the end. Also, the university already charges lots of fees in our tuition why not just add another so, we can all eat a little healthier. Factors associated with poor eating habits among college students a higher perception of stress and low self-esteem (Basil 148). Not only can unhealthy eating habits possibly lead to obesity this statement claims that stress and low self-esteem can quite possibly inhibit a college student from doing their best. The university could very easily accomplish all of this they just need the proper motivation and evidence. A study could be done that shows the retention rates of students who eat healthier meals, considering retention rates seem to be the primary focus our school, this might be something the university should look into. The lack of healthy foods could possible lead to students being less productive in their classes and even skipping classes more due to this as well. I say that we as students and people who would like to eat healthier meals confront the problem therefore, we can live more productive lives.

Works Cited Geoffrey Greene, et al. "Process Evaluation Of Project Webhealth: A Nondieting Web-Based Intervention For Obesity Prevention In College Students." Journal Of Nutrition Education & Behavior 45.4 (2013): 288-295. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. DESHPANDE, SAMEER, MICHAEL D. BASIL, and DEBRA Z. BASIL. "Factors Influencing Healthy Eating Habits Among College Students: An Application Of The Health Belief Model." Health Marketing Quarterly 26.2 (2009): 145-164. Academic Sear ch Complete. Web. 2 Oct. 2013. Ketter, Paula. "Obesity Affects Workplace Productivity." T+D 60.6 (2006): 13-14. Academic Search Complete. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. McDonalds Mission & Values. Aboutmcdonalds.com. McDonalds Corporation, n.d. Web. 10/09/2013.

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