 "Photo:")
Everyone who walked into the casino came away a winner.
University Housing presented a casino-themed health and nutrition fair Thursday, luring hundreds of students and community members to the lower level of Grinnell Hall for free massages, pens, cups, granola bars, t-shirts, fruit, water bottles and valuable information. The event, titled "Cash in Your Chips: Take a Gamble on Good Nutrition," was the seventh annual for University Housing, said Michelle Ostien, nutrition counselor for residence hall dining.
Ostien said the event cost less than its $1,000 budget. This chunk of change drew in floods of students and community members, many of whom were impressed with what the event provided.
"It's a lot more themed, a lot more fun than it was last year. The decorations and t-shirts are a lot better," said Tasha Harris, a junior from Bethalto studying interior design.
"It's great because the tables are not only interactive, but they also get information to take home with them," Ostien said. "Anybody can go online to look up the information, but to get the experience, I think you really need to come here and check it out."
Twenty-eight tables served their audience plenty of surprises.
Will Beachum, a junior from Breese studying dietetics, sported an apple costume attempting to get the word out about nutrition as part of an assignment for his Nutrition 410 class.
"A lot of people aren't aware of how many calories certain foods are. People are really surprised. When it comes to McDonald's foods, they guess like 1,000. They have no idea," Beachum said.
It's one thing to get people to come, but getting them to remember what they learned is a challenge, said Tarah Joiner, a senior from Orland Park studying nutrition and dietetics. She was stationed at one of the five tables occupied by the Nutrition 410 class.
Another table compliments of the 410 class was one of the most popular stops for participants. Students wore a device attaching extra weight to their bodies, giving them the effect of a chubby belly. Students then jumped on a small trampoline for two minutes and evaluated the number of calories they burned with a formula, which showed that it is easier for heavier people to burn calories.
"Everyone knows that when they go to a table that they're not only going to be walking away with prizes but also lots of information," Ostien said.
All aspects of health and nutrition were covered. There were tables for alcohol, drugs, stress management, religion, sexual health, dentistry and general safety.
Even the students from Project Eco-Dawgs were present. Some construction regulations have environmental considerations that also relate to one's well being, said Chris Klarer, a senior from Carbondale studying art and design.
"One of the things that they include is indoor air quality, so that has a direct effect on our health," said Klarer.
Lindsey Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or lgsmith@siu.edu.
