Although three out of every 10 college students are overweight or obese, the complications that are often seen among overweight people are not prevalent on AU's campus, according to staff at the Student Health Center.
The estimate from the American College Health Association noted that health problems like Type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease are often more prevalent among overweight or obese people.
Dr. Barry Clark, a physician at the Student Health Center, said these diseases are not prevalent at AU.
"We have not compiled statistics of how much our patients weigh, but from what I've seen, they seem healthier than in private practice," he said.
Dan Bruey, director of the health center, also said he thought AU students are relatively healthy.
"Most students that we see in the health center are very active and aware of what they need to do to remain healthy," he said.
AU on-campus eateries, run by Bon App?tit, try to provide healthy options for students looking to maintain a fit lifestyle.
"We try to give each of the campus eateries a mix of healthy options as well as hamburgers and pizza or anything else that the students may want," said Yvonne Matteson, resident district manager of Bon App?tit.
It is Bon App?tit's duty to provide a range of food, including both healthy and unhealthy options, to its customers, Matteson said.
"I don't want to limit the customer's experience ... it is the responsibility of the consumer to eat sensibly," she said.
Additionally, the health center collaborates with student organizations, including The Naked Truth Wellness Advocates, Women's Initiative and the Student Government, to provide wellness programming.
The health center will provide the "Get Fit Be Well" program this spring as it did last year, which sets wellness goals for participants and aims to increase participants' physical, social, spiritual, emotional and environmental health.
In addition to healthy food options and wellness programming, AU also has several gyms, including the Jacobs Fitness Center and smaller facilities in McDowell and Letts halls, to give students access to exercise equipment. Up to 7,500 students swipe in to use the Jacobs Fitness Center weekly, according to Jocelyn Hill, director of Jacobs Fitness Center.
Some students said it is easy to stay healthy at AU.
"The gym is nice and convenient, and you could always eat salads for meals," said Barak Sky, a senior in the Kogod School of Business. "They really open the door here to remain healthy."
The facilities at AU make it easy to stay fit, said Jackie Rigutto, a freshman in the School of International Service.
"As long as you don't overeat in [the Terrace Dining Room] and actually use the gym sometimes or walk around in the city, you should be fine," she said.
Others, however, say they feel it is not as simple to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"You have to schedule workout sessions around everything else, like all of your classes," said Elzy Mu¤oz a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Public Affairs. "I didn't work out at all freshman year, but now I make the effort to."
Students' health is ultimately their responsibility, Clark said.
"All of the tools are available, but no one can force them to use them," he said.
