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The Challenges of Being ‘Off to College’
From SNE This IS the Time to Take Action! As I assume the role as President of SNE, I have never been more excited by the challenges and opportunities that abound for those of us involved in nutrition education. The First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative places a national spotlight on the need to ensure children grow up to be healthy and productive adults. Stimulus funding has provided unprecedented investments in health promotion and disease prevention. Healthcare reform legislation will result in nation-wide menu labeling and free nutrition counseling. In this climate of intense interest in nutrition education, SNE and its members are well positioned to make a difference. With this opportunity comes the responsibility to ensure a firm, factual, and scientific founda-
tion. The Journal is the premier resource for us in the development and application of targeted, practicebased research. This issue alone highlights the breadth of such research – from food label use to fruit and vegetable availability in childcare and college. All of which contain evidence to help shape policy and practice. With the increased exposure to our profession, I call on all SNE members to continue—and yes, step up—your efforts to propel this organization forward this year by: Getting involved in SNE. Volunteer and join one of the many divisions that fit not just your present role in our field, but where you see yourself going. Taking an active role in policy. Each of us can contribute at some level, from local wellness programs to
making your views heard at the national level. Spreading the word about SNE. It is not a niche organization, or one that caters to only a single profession, or even a single country. SNE has something to offer anyone interested in nutrition. Reading and contributing to JNEB. The Journal provides us with evidence to strengthen our practice and supports our professional development. It is an honor to serve as SNE President. I look forward to hearing from many of you over the next year about how we can advance the mission of the organization and nutrition education. Tracy Fox, MPH, RD 2010-2011 SNE President
From JNEB The Challenges of Being ‘Off to College’ Most students are back in school by now, hopefully after a satisfying summer. Many parts of the educational experience could be called transitional, but I think none so much as being off to college. It is during this time that people learn to cope with managing their lives—health, eating, exercising, finances, social interactions—in addition to learning and planning a career. The college freshman may be eating in the dorm, but the choices are vast and portions only controlled by themselves. And next year they may be in a sorority or fraternity, then off to that first apartment! More research is focusing on the college student’s age group as being pivotal in determining how adults will manage their lives, including eating and exercise habits. In this issue, Jasti and Kovacs identify a need for trans fat education for college-aged adults.1 Also in this issue, Yeh et al2 examine competing food constructs
relative to fruit and vegetable intake of college freshman. Healthful eating and weight management continue to be of interest at JNEB with, for instance, Greaney et al’s3 analysis of healthful weight management and Ha and Caine-Bish’s4 report of their intervention of a general nutrition course. There are many more excellent articles in this area and I’m highlighting only a handful. (Remember you can search www.jneb.org by a search word such as ‘weight management’ or ‘college students’ to find all pertinent articles.) Healthy eating and exercise may not seem like a priority for some young adults with the many other challenges involved with college life. Therefore, it is our job as researchers and educators to learn what the needs are, identify successful strategies, and gain access to this transitional age group beset with so many competing issues.
Karen Chapman-Novakofski PhD, RD, LDN Editor-in-Chief
REFERENCES 1. Jasti S, Kovacs S. Use of trans fat information on food labels and its determinants in a multiethnic college student population. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2010;42:307-314. 2. Yeh M-C, Matsumori B, Obenchain J, Viladrich A, Das D, Navder K. Validity of a competing food choice construct regarding fruit and vegetable consumption among urban college freshmen. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2010;42:321-327. 3. Greaney ML, Less FD, White AA, et al. College students’ barriers and enablers for healthfulweightmanagement:aqualitative study. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41:281-286. 4. Ha E-J, Caine-Bish N. Effect of nutrition intervention using a general nutrition course for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among college students. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41:103-109.
tion. The Journal is the premier resource for us in the development and application of targeted, practicebased research. This issue alone highlights the breadth of such research – from food label use to fruit and vegetable availability in childcare and college. All of which contain evidence to help shape policy and practice. With the increased exposure to our profession, I call on all SNE members to continue—and yes, step up—your efforts to propel this organization forward this year by: Getting involved in SNE. Volunteer and join one of the many divisions that fit not just your present role in our field, but where you see yourself going. Taking an active role in policy. Each of us can contribute at some level, from local wellness programs to
making your views heard at the national level. Spreading the word about SNE. It is not a niche organization, or one that caters to only a single profession, or even a single country. SNE has something to offer anyone interested in nutrition. Reading and contributing to JNEB. The Journal provides us with evidence to strengthen our practice and supports our professional development. It is an honor to serve as SNE President. I look forward to hearing from many of you over the next year about how we can advance the mission of the organization and nutrition education. Tracy Fox, MPH, RD 2010-2011 SNE President
From JNEB The Challenges of Being ‘Off to College’ Most students are back in school by now, hopefully after a satisfying summer. Many parts of the educational experience could be called transitional, but I think none so much as being off to college. It is during this time that people learn to cope with managing their lives—health, eating, exercising, finances, social interactions—in addition to learning and planning a career. The college freshman may be eating in the dorm, but the choices are vast and portions only controlled by themselves. And next year they may be in a sorority or fraternity, then off to that first apartment! More research is focusing on the college student’s age group as being pivotal in determining how adults will manage their lives, including eating and exercise habits. In this issue, Jasti and Kovacs identify a need for trans fat education for college-aged adults.1 Also in this issue, Yeh et al2 examine competing food constructs
relative to fruit and vegetable intake of college freshman. Healthful eating and weight management continue to be of interest at JNEB with, for instance, Greaney et al’s3 analysis of healthful weight management and Ha and Caine-Bish’s4 report of their intervention of a general nutrition course. There are many more excellent articles in this area and I’m highlighting only a handful. (Remember you can search www.jneb.org by a search word such as ‘weight management’ or ‘college students’ to find all pertinent articles.) Healthy eating and exercise may not seem like a priority for some young adults with the many other challenges involved with college life. Therefore, it is our job as researchers and educators to learn what the needs are, identify successful strategies, and gain access to this transitional age group beset with so many competing issues.
Karen Chapman-Novakofski PhD, RD, LDN Editor-in-Chief
REFERENCES 1. Jasti S, Kovacs S. Use of trans fat information on food labels and its determinants in a multiethnic college student population. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2010;42:307-314. 2. Yeh M-C, Matsumori B, Obenchain J, Viladrich A, Das D, Navder K. Validity of a competing food choice construct regarding fruit and vegetable consumption among urban college freshmen. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2010;42:321-327. 3. Greaney ML, Less FD, White AA, et al. College students’ barriers and enablers for healthfulweightmanagement:aqualitative study. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41:281-286. 4. Ha E-J, Caine-Bish N. Effect of nutrition intervention using a general nutrition course for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among college students. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41:103-109.