The Health Center at Moorpark College will offer free nutrition counseling starting on Sept. 26; the service is available on Mondays and Thursdays and appointments will be held on a one-to-one basis.
Sharon Manakas, coordinator of the Student Health Services, outlined the purpose for nutrition counseling.
“The nutrition counselors work with students on how to make a better choice of “fast food” and how to eat healthy on a limited budget,” said Manakas.
A survey on national health and nutrition examination in the United States from 2007-2008,conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, showed that 34.2% of US adults aged 20 years and at a staggering 33.8% obese.
Nutrition counseling, however, not only focuses on weight loss and disease prevention. Counselors can help students identify unhealthy habits in their diet and work to help change those habits. Individuals seeking nutritional counseling will be assisted with any health needs, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, eating disorders, food allergies or getting the proper nutrients as a vegetarian.
The nutrition counselors also work with athletes and give advice on exercises to improve their abilities.
“It is important for students to know how to get the most out of a game and how related foods that you eat make a difference in athletic performance,” said Manakas.
Tyler Diprima, a 21-year-old business major at Moorpark College expressed his opinion about the nutrition counseling.
“I think it’s good that they offer that because it is expensive to get help if you are overweight and it’s good for the students to eat healthy,” said Diprima.
Another student, Kelsey Allen, a 19-year-old health science major saw the announcement in the Health Center and thinks that it is a good service for students.
“Some people are totally clueless about what they should be consuming calorie wise,” said Allen. “Even people who don’t necessarily have problems, it doesn’t mean that they are consuming the correct proportions of particular nutrients.”
The service is free, also including people without health insurance, but the Health Center will charge for required medication.
The first counseling meeting lasts one hour and the follow-ups half an hour. If further help is needed, the Health Center will assist in finding appropriate institutions in the community.
“It is just easier to start making those changes and be healthier now, than when you get older,” said Manakas.
To make an appointment call the Health Center at (805) 378 1413 or stop by the Administration Building, room 111.
