Keeping healthy

David Lai

Of all the issues surrounding higher education, a prominently recurring issue is that of student health. Although this problem has been analyzed to the point of exhaustion, often stress and its responses are examined as the primary linkages to declining trends in student health. As many times as the issue has been explored, however, few studies have attempted to establish a connection between the level of student physical activity and student health.

There is much to gain from engaging in regular physical activity. The most obvious health benefits from regular exercise (keeping all other factors constant) are increased cardiovascular health and weight loss. Although healthy weight loss requires a combination of regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a nutritional diet, one study claims that “physical activity is a critical component of long-term weight management”. In another study conducted by Evadnie Rampersaud, findings suggest that physical activity can offset genetic predisposition for obesity. Rampersaud “emphasize[s] the important role of physical activity in public health efforts to combat obesity, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals." In addition to preventing obesity, the risk for developing cardiovascular disease and other obesity related health problems would be minimized.

For students, there is a large upside to maintaining a regular exercise routine. However, for many students, the time and motivation needed to maintain a regiment is hard pressed to find. The combination of academic workload, social obligations, and poor time management skills leave most students with no time for exercise. This represents a major problem for students’ health, and an institutional solution needs to be explored.