Tag Archives: health education

Heads Up: Changes Coming to MyStudentBody!

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Hopefully, you noticed that MyStudentBody has been running faster. You have? Good, because in November we upgraded MyStudentBody’s operating platform behind the scenes. But here at MyStudentBody HQ, we’ll be rolling out some changes over the next few months in addition to some of our recent upgrades. Here’s a look at the next three big steps.

Change #1

Early next month, our welcome page will get a fresh look and links to useful articles that you can share with colleagues. Check out the snazzy previews of the new welcome page and library below.

Change #2

In February, we’ll also be unveiling a new registration process that will make users’ information more secure and help with forgotten passwords. Administrators, this is important because you’ll need to revise your instructions to students. But don’t worry, we’ll provide new samples and templates online.

Change #3

Also coming in February, MyStudentBody’s wellness information (topics like stress, sexual health, nutrition, and tobacco) will be available from the Student Center page. Here’s why: administrators spoke, we listened.

Back in September, we asked administrators who use MyStudentBody to tell us how they use the program, and how we could make it more useful to them and students. Regarding the wellness information, the biggest takeaways were:

  1. MyStudentBody’s wellness components, which aren’t part of the Essentials or Student Conduct courses, are liked, but not used extensively with students.
  2. Half of administrators found the wellness areas “very valuable,” but only 35% thought they were “very popular” with students.
  3. More than 70% agreed that, “though the wellness sites seem useful, we rarely use them.”
  4. Nearly 90% agreed that those areas “would be helpful if we used (them) more.”

In an effort to provide the comprehensive student health education we’ve always promised and provide ongoing prevention support, we asked ourselves what we could do to make the wellness information more accessible to students. Clearly, it’s important to administrators. We decided to move that wellness information to the Student Center tab of MyStudentBody because then it would be more easily seen and used as a resource by students. And 82% administrators liked that idea.

So that’s exactly what we’re doing. We expect the changes to take effect in late February, and we’ll have more information about that in January. Until then, those areas will be available as they’ve always been.

For more details about the findings from our customer survey read the Executive Summary [PDF].

Overheard On Campus: My partner cheated on me – should I get tested for an STI even though I don’t feel any symptoms?

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Contributed by Melissa Kelley, MS, CHES,  Beau Dooley, MS, MPH, &  Erin Kaufmann, BS

Check out what Melissa Kelley, a health educator at the University of Rochester, Beau Dooley, Associate Director of Student Wellness and Outreach at James Madison University, and Erin Kaufmann, MPH student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, have to say about getting tested in this not-so-fun situation. For information on similar topics, check out the Overheard On Campus category or log in to MyStudentBody.

Melissa says …

Many people aren’t symptomatic or don’t recognize the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s always better to be sure.

Most clinics and health services offer confidential, free, or reduced-cost testing, so that lessens the burden of testing.

Keep in mind that getting tested regularly can be part of your standard health care regimen. Even people in long-term, committed relationships can benefit from knowing for sure whether they have an STI. People tested regularly also benefit from early detection and treatment if necessary, and from the confidence of knowing that they’re keeping their partner(s) safe.

We are each only responsible for our own health and well-being, so getting tested, even when we think the risk is low, is worth it!

Beau says …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there are about 19 million new STI cases each year, making STI a major health concern, especially for sexually active young adults. So your anxiety about contracting an STI from your partner is a valid one.

If you’ve had sex, especially unprotected sex, with your partner after your partner has had sexual contact with another person, you should strongly consider getting tested for an STI – even if you do not feel any symptoms.  Here’s why:

  • Many STIs are asymptomatic, which means that you’re infected but don’t exhibit any symptoms. For example, the majority of people infected with chlamydia (the most frequently reported STI in the U.S.) have no symptoms at all.
  • If symptoms do appear, there may be a delay from the time of infection to their onset. For instance, chlamydia symptoms, if present, usually appear between 1 and 3 weeks after exposure. Symptoms in HIV-positive individuals may take months or even years to develop.
  • The symptoms of many STIs may be mild and mistaken for other conditions. For example, in women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild and can be so nonspecific that they’re mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection by a medical provider.

Periodic testing for both you and your partner(s) is a good thing. Using safer-sex practices and effectively communicating with your partner about STIs is a great thing. Talk to your healthcare provider about STI testing options and other ways to protect your health.

Erin says …

One of the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections is by staying in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner, but this means that both partners have to stay monogamous.

An STI is probably the last thing you want to think about after your partner has cheated. But unfortunately, because you don’t know the unwanted third party’s sexual history, you don’t know what unwanted STIs he or she may have passed to your partner and then on to you.

It’s important for both men and women to get tested for STIs even if they don’t experience any symptoms. Most people who have an STI don’t know that they have it.

Many common STIs, such as chlamydia, herpes, and HIV, can be spread between partners even when no symptoms are present. Because your partner has recently had sex with someone else, he or she may have contracted an STI, even without feeling or seeing any signs of one. Getting tested early, before you experience symptoms, is the best way to cure or treat an infection and to prevent its long-term effects.

Even if or when your cheating partner is long gone, you don’t want to be left with a burning, itching reminder of him or her.

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Body Sense: Fad diets = bad diets

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Contributed by C. Claire Armagnac, B.A.

Let’s face it. Fad diets are the Lindsay Lohans of the nutrition world. They have horrible reputations, and they’re disorganized, damaging, and unhealthy, but they still continue to make headlines and have millions of devoted fans.

Most of us have a coworker, friend, or friend-of-a-friend who has lost weight by following an extreme, temporary weight-loss plan, more commonly known as a fad diet. This month’s post is an exploration of the dangers of some of the more popular fad diets. It also includes tips on how to choose a smart nutrition plan that can work for you. Click here for more Body Sense posts.

Fad diets don't workFirst Offender: The Cabbage-Soup Diet

This fad diet has a devoted following and its own creepy website where you can download an e-book that provides you with “tips on how to survive the full 7 days on the cabbage soup diet.” Survive? Yikes!

According to the health information site WebMD, dieters who follow the cabbage-soup diet’s nutritional guidelines are encouraged to eat a bland, chunky soup that consists of cabbage and other vegetables, along with fruit, a few servings of brown rice, and plenty of water. This diet is only supposed to be followed for 1 week at a time and promises 10 pounds of weight loss.

Although the allure of losing 10 pounds in such a short amount of time may be tempting, WebMD (and anyone who has taste buds) strongly advises against this diet. It doesn’t provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals, and the number of calories consumed while on it is so low that fainting, dizziness, and lethargy are common side effects.

So unless you want to put your health at risk and feel like a wilted bag of coleslaw, this diet is not for you.

Second Offender: The hCG Diet

Although not as well-known as the cabbage-soup diet, this nutritional nightmare has garnered media attention in recent months because it promises weight loss of up to 30 pounds in 30 days.

Diet participants consume less than 500 calories per day while receiving injections of hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin), a hormone naturally secreted by women’s bodies during pregnancy. The hormone is supposed to make dieters feel less hungry even though they’re eating very little.

It’s suspected that the hormone causes a nonpregnant woman’s body to dip into its fat reserves to find fuel for metabolic functions, such as maintaining a constant heartbeat. The body’s consumption of its fat reserves is supposed to lead to rapid weight loss, but it can also lead to an unhealthy alteration to the body’s metabolism and liver function.

If this diet sounds like sketchy pseudoscience, that’s because it is. Its effects on men haven’t been studied, but it’s probably risky for both genders and should definitely be avoided.

Third Offender: The Baby-Food Diet

Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are rumored to have used this diet to lose weight before movie shoots, and it’s become popular because of its deceptively simple nutrition plan.

Advocates for this diet explain that baby food is safe to eat because it’s mainly made of fruits and vegetables and it contains pure nutrients. While this may be true, baby food is in no way considered an acceptable substitute for all of the fiber and flavors we get by consuming real food. Eating enough small jars of baby food to feel full will get expensive and will probably still mean consuming at least 1,200 calories per day, which will cause weight loss to be gradual instead of rapid.

You may be able to lose weight on this diet, but you’ll gain it back once you start to eat normally again. This diet isn’t worth your time or money, especially when there are plenty of ways to lose weight that are safer and more enjoyable.

Smarter Choices, Better Results

One of the best ways to start losing weight is by keeping track of the number of calories you currently consume. There are many apps for iPads and smartphones that can help you keep a diary of your diet and exercise habits ‒ my favorite one for the iPad is called Calorie Counter. These apps are useful because they link into the websites for many popular restaurant chains and provide nutritional data for everything from Chili’s boneless wings to Cracker Barrel’s biscuits. They also provide estimates for the number of calories in common foods such as yogurt and cheese.

If you don’t have a smartphone, keeping a paper journal of the foods you eat can be just as effective. Simply knowing that you will have to admit on paper to eating 6 Oreos or a whole basket of fries can be a deterrent, and seeing your daily diet written out can help you to recognize days of the week or times of the month when it’s difficult for you to eat healthfully. By being realistic about the number of calories and types of foods you consume, it will be easier for you to make changes, such as replacing whole milk with skim milk and eating a sandwich on one slice of bread instead of two.

Exercise is my personal favorite way to lose weight and maintain physique because it can be fun (a lot more fun than eating endless mounds of cabbage!) and can have physical as well as emotional benefits. Adding a few hours of strength training or fitness classes to your weekly schedule may not cause you to lose 30 pounds in 30 days, but it’s much safer than any fad diet and can also promote heart health and longevity.

What do you think, readers? Are there any other risky fad diets that we should be on the lookout for? Send me your feedback at carmagna@stetson.edu! Click here for more Body Sense posts. Share this post by using the buttons below.

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Overheard On Campus: What types of food will help give me energy throughout the day?

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Contributed by Brooke Vanevenhoven, R.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.P., & Dr. Chris Hayes, M.D.
Introduction by Tyler Achilles, B.A.

Have you seen those commercials for 5-Hour Energy? You know, the ones in which they talk about the “2:30 feeling” – when you’ve just about tapped out all of your energy in the morning and early afternoon and now you’re tired and sluggish? We all have that feeling from time to time. How can we avoid that “2:30” feeling without drinking loads of caffeinated soda or coffee or (even worse) guzzling down a 5-Hour Energy? Check out what Brooke Vanevenhoven, a nurse practitioner at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, and Dr. Chris Hayes, physician at University of Louisiana at Lafayette have to say about keep up your energy throughout the day. For information on similar topics, check out the Overheard On Campus category or log in to MyStudentBody.Assortment of whole grains

Brooke Vanevenhoven, a nurse practitioner at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, says …

We get so many mixed messages about nutrition. No carbs, high protein, low fat, gluten free. It leaves our heads spinning sometimes. To break things down very simply, our bodies need a variety of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in order to function properly. Our energy comes primarily from carbohydrates. The key is choosing the best carbohydrates to energize our bodies without consuming unnecessary calories.

When choosing carbohydrates to energize your body, it’s always best to choose options that not only fill you up, but also nourish your body. Whole grains are good options when choosing starchy foods. They take longer to digest and stick with you longer, provide a good source of fiber, and reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses. Whole grain breads and cereals, including oatmeal, are great breakfast options, especially if you avoid added sugar. Read the labels to be sure you are getting 100% whole grains.

Another great source of carbohydrates for energy is fruits and vegetables. By selecting a wide variety, including many different colors of fruits and veggies, you will get various vitamins and minerals as well as flavors. Try to include at least five varied servings daily. One small piece of fruit or a cup of greens or chopped veggies is considered one serving.

As Americans, we have access to a lot of snack foods, breads, pastas and other carbohydrates that provide us with absolutely no nutrition and empty calories. Sure, you can eat a couple of chocolate chip cookies and feel energetic, but when you eat these kinds of carbs your blood sugar peaks quickly. This provides a short burst of energy, but will drop just as quickly, leaving you feeling sluggish and craving something more. In the meantime, you will not have nourished your body with anything it needs to function properly.

Bottom line, get your energy from healthy sources of carbohydrates: whole grain breads, pastas, and rice; and fruits and vegetables. Include a wide variety for nutrition and avoid the carbs that have no nutritional value. Combine that with a balanced diet including lean proteins and you will have the energy you need without all the extra baggage.

Dr. Chris Hayes, a physician at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, says …

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “you are what you eat”, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to keeping your muscles strong and your energy level up. Everything you eat is eventually broken down into three basic molecules: sugars, amino acids, and fats. A proper balance of the three keeps your body running smoothly.

To keep your blood sugar levels steady, your energy up, and your muscles in good shape you should eat several small low sugar meals every day that contain complex carbohydrates (like whole grains), vegetables, fruits and lean protein (like chicken, fish, or lean beef). Vegetarians can do the same by combining legumes (beans) and grains (rice, wheat) together in the same meal for protein. Don’t miss meals even if you’re trying to lose weight. Your blood sugar will drop and your metabolism will slow down, reducing your energy level. Keep whole grain/high protein snacks on hand for days when you don’t have time for a sit down meal, and drink plenty of water. Dehydration can make you feel just as run down as low blood sugar can.

Advance planning is the key. If all you have available is junk, you’re going to eat junk. If the good stuff is available, that’s what’s more likely to go in your mouth, and home-prepared meals are often cheaper than fast food. So plan what you’re going to eat for the day and pack it in a lunch box or mini-cooler. Your body will thank you for the effort.

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Body Sense: Beauty isn’t baked

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Contributed by C. Claire Armagnac, B.A.

Long before the guidos and guidettes of MTV’s Jersey Shore were bragging about their daily GTL (gym, tan, laundry) routine, many young people were taking the “T” to an extreme. Tanning salons have been in business in the U.S. since the 1970′s, and they are no safer today than they were when they first became popular. Avoiding tanning beds is a health-conscious decision, but there are also other things you can do to get serious about sun safety.

Pig and bacon cartoonSPF = Super-Protected Fun

OK, SPF actually stands for “sun protection factor,” but you should still view sunscreen with a high SPF as a way to have fun outdoors without worrying about a painful, ugly sunburn. Failing to use sunscreen can lead to a variety of other problems in addition to sunburns, such as skin cancer, wrinkles, and premature aging. All sunscreens use similar chemicals to protect your skin from UVA and UVB sunrays, but dermatologists recommend that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Some sunscreens are labeled “waterproof,” but it is still a good idea to reapply them after you swim and towel off because water can decrease their  effectiveness and toweling off can wipe them off of your skin.

Play it safe in the shade

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you have to be outdoors during those hours, wear extra sunscreen and try to stay in areas that are shaded by trees or tents. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers your body is another way to decrease your chances of getting sunburned; some sportswear companies make lightweight clothing that is specifically designed to block UVA and UVB rays. Sun-blocking clothing tends to be a little pricey, but you may want to invest in it if you’re going to be working at a job that requires you to be outdoors all summer. Large sunglasses are fashionable, and they also protect the skin around your eyes from the wrinkles that can be caused by years of squinting.

Get a faux glow

Self-tanning lotions have improved a lot in recent years. I’ve personally had luck with several drugstore brands that allow you to build a tan gradually. I was a bridesmaid a few summers ago, and I wanted to look tan in the wedding photos, so I started applying self-tanning lotion two weeks before the wedding. I was really pale to begin with (my heritage is French and German) and ended up about four shades darker prior to the big day. Self-tanning lotions can cause the palms of your hands to look unnaturally tan if you apply them every day, so be sure to wash your hands right after application to achieve the most natural look. Some tanning salons offer spray tans, but my experience with a salon spray tan was really unpleasant, and some of the chemicals may not be safe if you inhale them.

It is also important to note that dermatologists recommend that people of all skin tones, including African Americans, use sunscreen. People with dark skin are still at risk for skin cancer, and they are also at risk for wrinkles and uneven skin tone from prolonged exposure to the sun.

This summer, try to make sun safety more than just an afterthought. When you’re a wrinkle-free 40-year-old who still gets ID’ed when buying alcohol, you’ll be glad you did!

Questions? Comments? Shoot me an email at carmagna@stetson.edu or write them in the comments section. Click here for more Body Sense posts. Share this post by using the buttons below.

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