Long Assignment #2
An outline for the second Long Assignment in WRD 112 focusing on the effects of healthy eating on student success.
Long Assignment #2 Outline
Thesis: Maintaining a well-balanced diet that consists of the necessary nutrients and specific food groups can not only aid college students in improving their academic success but it can also improve their overall functionality and physical/mental health.
Body Paragraph 1/2: It has been found time and time again that a healthy diet largely contributes to an individual’s success not only in the classroom but also in activities the student participates in outside of class.
- “Healthy people are more productive, creative and mentally sharp,” (1). “Research also shows that eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day is as beneficial for the mind as it is for the body. The participants who ate less high-fat meals and more fruits and vegetables were happier, more engaged and more creative than those who opted for high-fat, high-calorie lunches,” (6). “What you eat affects your productivity in different ways,” (7). https://medium.com/@rhettpower/food-sleep-exercise-why-you-seriously-need-all-3-to-be-successful-e6c294d0122d
- “What you do at lunch can either make or break the rest of your day,” (5). “It’s no surprise that foods to avoid at lunch are anything high in sugar such as cookies, candy, and soda. And best to stay away from refined carbs such as white pasta and bread, which release their glucose quickly producing an energy spike followed by a slump,” (18). https://medium.com/personal-growth/what-successful-people-eat-for-lunch-16af43ea2330
- “Unhealthy eating behaviors contribute to obesity and chronic illness,”(1). https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/2267032563/fulltext/3D274875ED66473CPQ/1?accountid=11836
- “By eating healthy and exercising, you will have more energy, allowing you to focus more easily. Healthy foods like salmon, blueberries, walnuts and more can help your brain work better! Also, feeling good about yourself will translate into all the things you work towards. You’ll be able to accomplish more and have more academic success by incorporating healthy habits and exercise into your life.” https://www.south.edu/blog/how-eating-healthy-and-exercising-impact-your-academic-success/.
- Recent research demonstrates that “poor nutrition and lack of physical activity lead to lower academic achievement. Studies show that when children’s basic nutritional and fitness needs are met, they have the cognitive energy to achieve and learn,” (https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/368971426?accountid=11836&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo).
Body Paragraph 3/4: Although, keeping up with a healthy diet can be rigorous for college students, it is imperative that they at least make an effort as a means to counteract the increase of obesity in young adults and there are many strategies for preventing poor eating tendencies.
- Some common struggles that students may face are “time, money, quality of cafeteria selections, and food preparation knowledge,” (https://www-clinicalkey-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/service/content/pdf/watermarked/1-s2.0-S1499404616301737.pdf?locale=en_US&searchIndex=)
- “Students gain an average of 7.5 pounds in the first year of college,” (https://medium.com/thrive-global/how-to-eat-healthy-in-college-and-avoid-weight-gain-on-cafeteria-food-cf529ee0aee). “Prepare snacks or small meals that you can carry with you for long days on campus. Finding time to eat between classes is critical for keeping your energy up as well as maintaining focus. The snacks will also keep you from binging on the less healthy options in the dining hall or quick stop food places around campus.”
- It has been shown that “it may be possible to change dietary behaviors in college students by focusing on social, ethical, cultural, and environmental issues related to food and food production,” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379710001145).
- “You can prepare your meals a few days in advance so you only have to do minimal preparations the day of. This will help you eat healthier and save money on eating out!” https://www.south.edu/blog/how-eating-healthy-and-exercising-impact-your-academic-success/ “Overweightness and obesity rates have increased dramatically over the past few decades and they represent a health epidemic in the United States (US). Unhealthy dietary habits are among the factors that can have adverse effects on weight status in young adulthood.” https://doaj.org/article/6e5718ecec9442d79ef361d89555e907
Body Paragraph 5/6: There are many methods to consider that can aid students in eating healthy which will furthermore set the student up for success and work against the rising obesity problem.
- “Conversely, enablers to healthy behavior were improved food knowledge and education, meal planning, involvement in food preparation, and being physically active. Parental food behavior and friends; social pressure were considered to have both positive and negative influences on individual eating habits. The study highlighted the importance of consulting college students when developing healthy eating interventions across the campus (e.g., labeling healthy food options and information campaigns) and considering individual-level factors and socio-ecological aspects in the analysis,” (https://doaj.org/article/6e5718ecec9442d79ef361d89555e907).
- Districts need support from the entire school community to make a difference. Parents aren’t the only ones who should be telling kids to “eat your vegetables.” With a growing body of scientific research linking proper nutrition to academic success, school districts stand to benefit from promoting healthier lifestyles for students. Schools are making progress with healthy changes in the cafeteria. New nutrition standards for school meals require a wider variety and increased availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less sodium, unhealthy fat, and calories. To help students embrace these healthy options, school nutrition professionals need the support of the entire school community. By bringing administrators, teachers, and nutrition staff together, healthy eating can be a beneficial part of the school day. Far too often, students don’t recognize the varieties of produce offered in the cafeteria. Teachers encourage students to broaden their palates by incorporating food education into classroom curriculum. Lessons can be as simple as learning fractions using orange slices or studying the geographic origin and growth cycle of avocados. Classroom lesson plans could help students accept or at least try healthy options,” (https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/1429419388?accountid=11836&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo).
- “By joining students for school lunch and being role models for healthy food choices, adults encourage students to try foods they might not encounter at home,” https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/1429419388?accountid=11836&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo).
- “These successes require school leaders to recognize the important role nutrition plays in student achievement and to foster open dialog, cooperation, and planning among the entire school team. When principals, teachers, nurses, custodians, school nutrition staff, and parents work together, they can design solutions that maximize each school’s unique strengths to meet students’ nutritional needs,” (https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/docview/1429419388?accountid=11836&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo).