 "Photo: Diane Whiteside")
 "Photo: Diane Whiteside")
For students, the hustle and bustle of life leaves little time to worry about their health.
The importance of staying fit, however, cannot be overstated.
“Similar to the general population, it’s important, one, because health contributes to academics,” said Julienne Maeda, associate professor of kinesiology and leisure science. “It also contributes to the quality of life, and basically, if they want to have a life after college, taking care of their health now is really important.”
Physical health can be linked to one’s mental state and has the power to alter mood and attitude.
“I guess it determines how you are as a person; you can’t be happy or productive if you’re sick all the time,” said Mari Green, a psychology major. “It’s important to have energy to get things done (and) health has a lot (to do with that) if you’re able to do that.”
Most health issues focus on two main concerns: eating well and staying physically active.
Generally, people know healthy eating and exercising are important but can’t seem to let go of poor food choices and a sedentary lifestyle.
GET YOUR GRUB ON
Like many students, Green tries to eat healthy foods but said that it is easier to eat unhealthily.
“It’s easier just to get (foods) like hot dogs because they’ll be there forever,” Green said.
Processed foods, although lacking in nutrition, are constantly available and are usually cheap.
Hectic schedules force many students to eat meals outside of home, and although some dining spots on campus, such as L&L, have altered their menus to provide more health-conscious options, it can still be expensive.
“If (students) really have to watch their money, then they may not be able to afford as much of the healthy stuff as they normally would,” Maeda said.
Junior Steven Karr said he doesn’t think he lives a very healthy lifestyle and agreed that the cost of healthy eating is a concern.
“(The cafeteria has) dollar hot dogs; they don’t have dollar salads,” Karr said.
Students have options, but nothing good comes easy.
“Farmers’ markets do help, and students do have access to those,” Maeda said.
BURNING THE CALORIES
Although it may seem impossible to squeeze in the idea of exercise into an already busy schedule, even minor decisions can have a positive impact on one’s health.
“Walking instead of taking the shuttle” is an easy way to add extra minutes of exercise during the day, Maeda said.
Besides working out at the Fitness Center on campus, students can also get involved in Registered Independent Organizations (RIOs) such as Kendo Club, Waikīkī Acrobatic Troupe, and Dancesport, for a fee.
Registering for classes with physical activity is also a good way to get regular exercise.
The Lei-sure Center offers reasonably priced arts-and-crafts classes in addition to recreational classes like aerobics, yoga, sailing and salsa. Students can learn to Scuba and get PADI Open Water Certification for $205.
The Out-reach College also offers a variety of dance and heath and fitness courses for a fee.
“Students can still take them; it’s just going to cost a little bit more,” Maeda said.
Courses for credit such as personal health and wellness, as well as dance classes, are also available.
Other students stay fit by playing intramural sports.
Francis Baricuatro, a junior majoring in nursing and marketing, is in ROTC and gets some of his physical activity from marching around campus.
Campus facilities are available to students if they are not in use by sports teams. These include the Fitness Center, the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex, three basketball courts, and a track.
“Stu-dents need to take advantage of what their fees are covering and really use those services on campus,” Maeda said.
Off campus, students can work out at local gyms, walk around their neighborhood, or go to the beach. Students who can’t peel themselves away from the television can get exercise through games like Wii Fit.
Maeda suggested making healthy choices as often as possible.
Students can take control over the things they can prevent and be proactive by taking vitamins and seeing a doctor for regular checkups.
GOODS AND GAINS
Besides building a physical foundation for life, living a healthy lifestyle has many other benefits.
“There are social benefits with being healthy,” Maeda said.
It helps with relieving stress, meeting new friends, trying new activities, and just being around people in general.
“If more people were more proactive in terms of trying to take care of their health, it would help us overall,” Maeda said.
Reducing obesity could bring down medical costs as well.
“New research shows medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for an obese person than someone who’s normal weight,” according to MSNBC.com.
GET PUMPED
Some don’t see the fun in vigorous activity, but working out with friends can be motivating.
“A lot of time it’s hard to get motivated, but once you do exercise you’re like, ‘Wow, I’m glad I did that,’ ” Maeda said. “It just feels better.”
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