Healthy Gators 2010, GatorWell encourage good nutrition

February 27, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — GatorWell Health Promotion Services and the Healthy Gators 2010 coalition encourage everyone at the University of Florida to celebrate National Nutrition Month in March.

The national campaign, “Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact,” urges consumers to look beyond nutrition myths and focus on the facts. GatorWell and Healthy Gators 2010 are focusing on the importance of fruits and vegetables and portion sizes, although general nutrition facts also will be available.

“Less than 10 percent of students consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables; this concerns me, fruits and vegetables are necessary for health,” said Janis Mena, a nutritionist at GatorWell Health Promotion Services.

Events will occur at various locations throughout the month across campus, including the kickoff event on March 3. “Nutri-Games” will take place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Orange and Brew in the Reitz Student Union. The event will include “Food Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Portions.” Nutritionists will answer questions and give helpful tips.

A variety of tabling events will occur each week to promote healthy messages about nutrition. Useful information will be posted on many bulletin boards in residence halls, and cooking demonstrations and activities will take place in Jennings Hall and the Springs Residential Complex.

“We have a variety of programs and events planned to provide something for everyone’s taste,” said Jennifer Goetz, nutrition and eating disorder outreach assistant for GatorWell Health Promotion Services. “It is my hope that all of us take away something meaningful from this campaign and that our Gator community increases its knowledge of healthy nutrition.”

The campaign will also showcase guest speaker Jean Kilbourne on March 24 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. She will focus on body image and the effects of advertising on the obsession with thinness in our society.

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The campaign was initiated in March 1973 as a weeklong event but became a monthlong observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

Visit HealthyGators.hhp.ufl.edu for more information about National Nutrition Month and for a full list of events and sponsors.