2008 Woodie Awards
Staying Healthy, Resisting Temptation
Tips on avoiding the "Freshman 15" and STDs
Krystel Momplaisir
The "Freshman 15" is a phenomenon that leaves freshmen with an extra 15 pounds at the end of their first collegiate year. An equally prevalent phenomenon on campus is unprotected sex. Here are some ways to avoid the extra weight and stay sexually healthy:
Nutritional Health
The University at
"I talk to many students about what exactly to eat and why," says Domanico. She also speaks with students to learn their dining preferences. "Students want to know what to eat to feel better in regard to sports performance and academics." She says. "The right foods help you stay focused, alert, and attentive in the classroom."
She recommends that all students view the "Balanced Choices" brochure, available at every dining hall, to find means of maintaining nutritional health. The brochure supplies some facts on the habits of UAlbany students, including the following:
• Students' awareness about nutrition and healthy eating is at an all time high
• 75% of our students don't eat the suggested 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• 78% of students will choose a high fat option over a low fat option
• 40% of students consider themselves vegetarians
• 26% eat 2 meals and 2 snacks
• 24% eat 3 meals
• 25% eat 3 meals and 2 snacks
Exercise is also very important - experts recommend 30 minutes of rigorous exercise at least three times a week. On campus, we have fitness centers on all of the quads, and at the SEFCU Arena. Students pay a mandatory activity fee every semester to keep these centers open, so use of these facilities is free.
Sexual Health
According to Carol Stenger, the sexuality counselor at UAlbany, "the most important thing a student can do is protect themselves." Stenger and her staff visit classrooms, mostly those of freshmen, to teach students how to have a healthy sex life. According to the Center for Disease Control, human papillomavirus, commonly referred to as genital warts, is the number one sexually transmitted disease on college campuses in the
"I just don't know why people have unprotected sex on the first date," says Jamie Weeks, a current student at UAlbany. "When I was a freshman, I was as cautious as possible out of fear."
Christian St. Vil, another student, has a very different view. "I don't like to use condoms because it just feels better without them. That's all it comes down to, and that's why most people do not like to use them."
"It is not that we are not educated on sexual health, it is that we choose not to take precautions," said Dahlia, a student at SUNY Binghamton.
Here are some tips from Planned Parenthood on maintaining sexual health on campus:
• Become honest with ourselves about the risks we take
• Decide which risks we are willing to take - and which ones we aren't willing to take
• Find ways to make our sex play as safe and satisfying as possible
• Keep your partner's body fluids out of your body - vagina, anus, or mouth
• Don't touch sores or growths that are caused by sexually transmitted infections
• Don't allow your body fluids to get into your partner's body
• Don't have sex if you have sores or other symptoms of infection
• Have routine checkups for infections
• Get the correct treatment if you become infected