Kent State offers free nutrition advice and fitness facilities to give students a healthier college lifestyle, but statistics show students have not taken advantage of these opportunities.

“Students are more interested in how to become healthy these past couple of years,” said Tanya Falcone, a nutrition expert and the coordinator for the Center of Nutrition Outreach. Falcone gives students free service to improve eating habits and nutrition health. “Students have been saying they want to be healthy rather than only lose weight.”

Falcone helps about 100 students on average each semester. She believes if it wasn’t only her working alone, she would have more students come to the Center of Nutrition Outreach.

“I give students advice on eating habits,”  Falcone said. “From meal plan dining and eating to-go, I help students alter their food routines to better their health.” Falcone states that every diet is different for each person. The food choices that are made are based on the individual’s personal health.

Although Falcone’s specialty is nutrition, she expresses the importance of exercise. “I usually advise students to go to the Rec,” Falcone said. She provides pre-imposed workouts that must be used on a weekly routine. The diet she applies to a person is based on a person’s daily routine, including their workout habits.

Based on recent statistics, students have been attending the fitness facilities on campus less each semester. Nick Barber, the member and guest services coordinator of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, analyzes the total amount of students that enter the fitness facility each semester.

In spring 2017, the amount of students to utilize the fitness facilities — including the Rec and Tri-Rec — totaled 211,942. In fall 2017, the amount of swipes into the facilities was estimated at 169,146.

Some theories to the drop in attendance is that students go to fitness centers off campus, but others choose not to go due to lack of time and effort.

“The ‘Freshman 15’ is a myth,” Falcone said. “The number 15 comes from the average weight gained in a student’s first year of college. Some students don’t gain weight while others will gain 20-30 pounds.”

Shelbie Goulding is the recreation reporter. Contact her at [email protected].