Whether reading a nutritional label or a newspaper article, we want to trust the facts. I'd therefore like to clarify the role I play as a columnist and the role of the various health centers on campus. Contrary to what others may argue, fighting obesity and practicing healthy eating habits are not just an effort to lose weight.
No one would argue with the assertion that skinny isn't healthy. But by no means are the articles I write, nor any of the other health-related ones published in The Tufts Daily striving to make people look like a model.
Proper nutrition plays a serious role in health issues. Examples include lowering risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, cognition (such as Alzheimer's disease), arthritis, cataracts, and sarcopenia - all of which lead to impaired quality of life and decreased longevity.
In my first column (Sept. 29), I suggested that it is good to eat vegetables because "they provide different types of beneficial nutrients like
beta-carotene in carrots, tomatoes, and peppers, or vitamin K in spinach and broccoli," not to mention the phytochemicals they contain that can prevent cancer and heart disease.
I hope this clarifies any assumption that eating pizza with veggies isn't just an attempt to lose weight. Nor is it pop nutrition information, but rather, advice based upon factual health benefits recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a healthier lifestyle.
Further, in order to evaluate whether or not the problem of anorexia is greater on campus than obesity, one would have to assess this through the Tufts Longitudinal Health Study. One thing is for sure - under no guise are the articles in the Daily aiming to promote weight loss.
Luckily, we are part of a community with access to plenty of health-related resources that promote healthy living. The undergraduate program is connected to a network of faculty at the world-renowned Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition, where students can opt to take classes if they so desire.
Female faculty members have access to the Strong Women Program, which helps implement safe and effective strength training programs. There is even a Strong Men counterpart! In addition, the Tufts Personalized Performance Program (TPPP) is unique in the nation, helping students achieve fitness-related goals. Should this be of interest to you, information is available at http://ase.tufts.edu/physed/ppp/main.asp.
But what about those who believe eating healthy meals and going to the gym still won't guarantee health? Well, wearing a seatbelt won't necessarily prevent an accident from occurring, and putting on sun block doesn't mean you ward off cancer.
But protecting yourself doesn't hurt. Popular to contrary belief, people don't exercise just to lose weight. Last April, I wrote an article about exercise as a stress-reliever, featured in the Daily's "Balance" section, and I mentioned that those who exercise go to sleep faster, are more refreshed, have sharper memories, better reaction times and a higher concentration than non-exercisers.
Exercise also slows down the aging process, can increase a person's aerobic capacity as one gets older, reduces the risk of heart disease, and prevents certain types of cancer. So next time you see someone sprinting on the track or knocking off 30 minutes on the elliptical, don't assume it's just to fit into a pair of jeans.
Working as a personal trainer with the TPPP, I am asked constantly by my clients "what to eat." Of course we have clients who want to lose weight - and this is a goal that we work with just as we would help someone gain strength. But for the most part, people are curious as to how they can maintain a healthy lifestyle, and that's what these resources are here for.
Obviously, this is a school that is highly in tune with your health needs. I can understand the outlook of someone who is sick of being bombarded with the fit-society mentality - our society is very conscious of appearances and is over-stimulated by images.
But neither my articles nor the other health education provided here is forcing anyone to look, eat, and exercise in a certain way. The resources on campus serve as facilitators for sustainable health ethics - not as a conspiracy to keep people thin.
Marissa Beck is a senior majoring in English. She works with the Strong Women program as an assistant manager and personal trainer for the Tufts Personalized Performance Program. She can be reached at Marissa.Beck@tufts.edu. This column is written in conjunction with the Balance section of The Tufts Daily.<$><$>
