Lookin' good and feelin' GRRReat

On-campus nutritionists are getting the school's Tigers Feel GRRReat fitness program in shape this semester with a little reorganization.

In the past, Student Health Services educators held five-day classes where students could receive both nutritional and physical training advice. But this semester, Student Health Services are simplifying the program material, condensing the class into a one-day, three-hour-long class.

Since the classes kicked off last week, the program has already registered 300 students - significantly more than last year - said Jacqueline De Fouw, University of Memphis health educator.

Besides nutrition and exercise information, the record numbers of students in the class also receive a physical assessment and motivational talks.

One of the goals of the program is to clear up nutrition misinformation that students have received from other media sources, said Elise Torres, Student Health Services nutrition educator.

"I would say about 90 percent of what students read is false or just inaccurate," she said. "The program is very significant because students can ask questions about nutrition and get them immediately answered during our presentations."

The program was conceived in 2006, when Student Health Services noticed the increasing number of U of M students with symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a medical disorder stemming from high glucose and blood pressure levels. If not treated thoroughly, the possibility of cardiovascular disease and abdominal obesity for patients greatly increases in the long term.

And with Tennessee reportedly having the fifth highest obesity rate in the country, DeFouw - along with Student Health Services - felt it necessary to put the fitness program into place.

"We began realizing the increasing trend of patients with symptoms of metabolic syndrome," she said. "We wanted students to be able to learn more about nutrition so they could develop in a better way from a physical standpoint."

Campus Recreation Services, which shares Health Services' vision, has partnered with the Tigers Feel GRRReat program to offer physical training and advice for students with its Fitness Framework plan.

Steve Whistler, assistant director of campus recreation services, said the Fitness Framework program educates students and gives them a personal training experience.

"This program is more broad than some things we've done in the past," he said. "It focuses mainly on the practical benefits that each trainee gets from exercising regularly and helps them take the information that they get from the Tigers Feel GRRReat program and apply it."

The Fitness Framework plan is now being offered at a discounted price of $20 for four sessions, more than an 80 percent reduction from the usual rate of $30 for one session.

Students participating in the Feel GRRReat program said it has been a good informational tool about nutrition.

"I just wanted to know what foods are good for me and what foods aren't," said Lasasha Whitfield, freshman international relations major. "This program has done that and, I think, has pointed me in the right direction."

Some students participating said they wanted to be pushed to exercise more often.

"I had an inconsistent workout schedule, and I was just working out sporadically for a while," said Phylicia Harris, freshman music major. "I think I've found a program that will help me start working out on a regular basis."

Preeti Rao, the Feel GRRReat program's behavior change specialist, said the program is unique because it focuses on the person rather than the group.

"We are very focused on the needs of each individual," she said, "and that is what makes this program successful."

The first wave of classes in the Tigers Feel GRRReat fitness program is finishing today. Classes will be held two more weeks this semester, Oct. 12-16 and Nov. 9-13.

Students who want to register can contact Student Health Services for more information.