Many college students find themselves searching for ways to keep off the “freshman 15” and maintain a healthy diet throughout their college career.

According to the National College Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 40 percent of college students are currently attempting to lose weight. Both students and professionals say that they believe the obsession to lose weight is directly related to the obsession w

ith image.

“Every time you open a magazine or turn on the television all you see are pretty, skinny people selling everything from clothes to cigarettes,” said Rachel Austin, sophomore in business.

“It seems like seeing those people so much makes you want to look like that without even realizing it.”

The American Anorexia Bulimia Association says these type of images are the cause of most eating disorders.

“In a society where thinness is equated with success and happiness, nearly every American woman, man and child has suffered at one time or another from issues of weight, body shape and self-image,” the organization’s Web site states.

Betsy Haughton, professor of nutrition, said the best way for students to maintain a healthy weight is to pay closer attention to their eating habits.

“The biggest thing that happens when students come to college is they are studying a lot. Because of that they are sitting around more and eating,” Haughton said.

“Students need to eat in relationship with their hunger cues and not eat just because they are out with friends at a restaurant or because other people are eating. Also, students need to be more active and eat in relationship to what they do. Walk instead

of riding the bus or bike whenever possible.”

Those who have experienced the stress of college life firsthand have their own suggestions to offer to new students.

“I have found that if I eat at the same time each day and get in a routine, I don’t stay as hungry,” said Josh Weaver, junior in business.

“The biggest problem I had was eating too much junk food, so I just stopped buying it. As long as it wasn’t in my room, I wasn’t eating it.”

UT Dining Services Marketing Manager Gina Mills said that the business is dedicated to providing healthy options for student diners. Each dining hall offers nutritional information for all menu items including total calories, fat grams and nutrient conten

t.

“We not only provide this nutritional information, but also a wide variety of menu items. We have so many different items to chose that it is easy for students to have a healthy option,” Mills said.

Anyone experiencing problems with overeating, anorexia or other eating disorders can contact Eating Disorders Anonymous at 671-8871 or the UT Counseling Center at 974-2196.