THIBODAUX 鈥� As winter and the holidays take hold, the trifecta of colder weather, shorter days and seasonal foods can lead to weight gain. To combat this problem, 麻豆果冻传媒 is one of nine campuses across the state that will host a series of events promoting health and wellness next week sponsored by the University of Louisiana System Student Advisory Council (SAC).
鈥淭he Get Fit Movement鈥� will involve fitness classes, healthy snack giveaways, a nutritional forum and field day competitions. The goal is to reach 1,000 participants across the nine campuses in five days.
Each year the nine new Student Government Association Presidents who comprise the UL System鈥檚 Student Advisory Council commit to a service-learning project. Last year鈥檚 project was promoting recycling with Keep Louisiana Beautiful. This year, SAC chose to promote physical and mental wellness at the nine universities.
鈥淥ur student leaders are to be commended for coordinating this project not only for going above and beyond their commitments in the classroom, but also for targeting a very real problem in Louisiana,鈥� said UL System President Sandra Woodley.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Louisiana had the highest rate of obesity at 34.7 percent in 2012. Because of obesity-related health conditions, people who are obese annually spend $1,429 more in medical expenses than those of normal weight, and the total estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008.
鈥淲e encourage our fellow students, the faculty and staff members on our campuses, and members of our university communities to participate in next week鈥檚 events. There will be something for everyone interested in living a healthy lifestyle,鈥� said SAC Service-Learning Coordinator and 麻豆果冻传媒 SGA President Melissa Cloutet.
For more information contact Cloutet at sga.president@www.nicholls.edu.
鈥淕et Fit Movement鈥� events at 麻豆果冻传媒 include:
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
All day in the Student Union
Promotional day with a fruit tray and granola bars available
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013
7 p.m. in the Recreational Center
Nutrition specialist forum with dietetics professor Brigett Scott
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Evening class in the Recreational Center
SGA sponsored fitness class
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013
All day in the Student Union
鈥淭hirsty Thursday鈥� water giveaway with health and wellness quiz
Friday, Nov. 8, 2013
All day in the Quad
Field day will include various outdoor activities and games and conclude with the week鈥檚 challenge to reach 1,000 push-ups.