When first-year students are thrust into the college environment, they are burdened with stresses rooted in academic, social, financial and personal realms. A New York Times article reported that in 2011, the mental health of college freshmen had reached its record low in over 25 years. Numerous studies show that stress induces eating. More often than not, this stress-induced eating directs college students to Oreos and chicken tenders rather than broccoli and celery sticks. With the stresses students already face, they are less inclined to devote whatever energy they have left to making healthful eating decisions (especially when they have such easy access to poor choices).
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In addition to being stressed, college students are known to be among the most sleep deprived. Harvard Medical School reports that only 11% of American college students sleep well, and that 40% of students only feel well rested two days a week. This sleep deprivation is another factor in the cycle of stress and poor eating habits of college students.
Campus dining coordinators should be understanding of this, and work to encourage healthy eating such that poor eating behaviors and stress don't generate a destructive cycle. |