Intro to Nutrition class educates students on common health issues |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 12 2008 at 3:13 PM |
Editorial Ad by Tiffany Brandt
Tiffany Brandt's editorial ad addresses eating disorders and the importance of getting help.
By Megan Wenz
Antelope Staff
In the past five to ten years, health has been at the front of much discussion, from the presidential race to a late night infomercial. We are constantly bombarded with information regarding health. The media tells of new remedies and easy, carefree ways to lose weight and feel better. To weed out all the incorrect information that is constantly thrown at you can be tough. However, there is one UNK course that can help: nutrition.
Healthy eating habits as well as the scientific basis of nutrition are learned in the nutrition class taught by Peg Johnston, lecturer in the Family Studies and Interior Design department.
"I have often thought, 'If I had just one message that I could give to the American public in regard to nutrition, what would it be?'" Johnston said.
With that thought Johnston developed an assignment for her introduction to nutrition course where the students would try and educate fellow students about the risks to their health.
The classes were asked to write a public service announcement that could potentially be broadcast to tell the negative effects or benefits of different health issues. The class was able to choose from five different variations of the assignment that would reach different mediums.
Michael Blunck, a student in Johnston's nutrition class, chose to create an editorial advertisement.
"I chose 'The Importance of Eating Breakfast' because a majority of college students don't eat breakfast. Also, most students don't know the risks or benefits of eating breakfast," Blunck said.
The students' participation in the assignment was required; however, many students went above and beyond the required assignment and made interesting editorial ads. The students' ads varied in health issues from anorexia to eating more fiber. Each student's ad features a different health issue they chose and all are created from the minds of the individual.
"I chose fiber for a topic because it has been of interest in my personal diet," Scott Klausen, one of Johnston's students said.
As students may feel they are not at risk for certain health problems the facts stand that many health problems can stem from unhealthy young eating habits. A habit that seems so easy can really help many problems later in life.
Although that morning run never seems like a good idea in the bitter cold, it could save you from many health risks in the future. Learning good nutrition and health facts now will provide great benefits in your lifetime. To learn those practices, take Peg Johnston's nutrition class and live a healthy life.
