VI. Food Assessment Research: University of Minnesota, Morris
among participants, with an expectation that all food should be eaten and not wasted. Giving food to others is considered a common courtesy, and for some the practice extends from their native hunter-gatherer culture. A great variety and quantity of food is traditional at social gatherings. Fast food restaurants are increasingly more common on American Indian reservations, especially near casinos, and small towns tend to be overwhelmed with a high number of fast food restaurants.
meal plans wanted Dining Hall hours to be changed or expanded so that they would be more able to eat regularly. Students with a means of transportation cited economic barriers to purchasing healthy food in the grocery store, but considered the grocery store more affordable than on-campus options. Participants who were able to afford healthy food options were willing to buy them.
According to participants, diabetes and heart disease are major health problems on American Indian reservations. Diabetes can occur at a very young age, and heart attacks are common. The average life expectancy for South Dakota American Indian male is 58 years. Poverty is prevalent on reservations. Healthy foods are more expensive and spoil quickly compared to processed foods with preservatives. Government commodity foods provided to Native families have typically included blocks of cheese, canned peanut butter, high sugar drinks, and canned chicken.
Student athletes Both male and female athletes indicated a pressure to look good, stay fit and healthy, and eat well-balanced meals to ensure performance. Some mentioned societal pressures to be thin enough to look good in uniforms while performing in front of large crowds of their peers. Men commented on a desire for strong muscles and “six packs,” while the women said they wanted to look thin. Games, workouts, meetings, practices, and classes contribute to the lack of time that student athletes have to spend on preparing well-balanced meals. Convenience often takes precedence over health. Most student athlete participants eat fewer fruits and vegetables than desired, and some suggested cost as a barrier. All participants expressed a need to be eating healthier, well-balanced meals. Athletes said they usually ate a buffet, pizza, or hamburgers after out-of-town games or meets, as it is easier, faster, and cheaper to stop at a fast food restaurant than at a healthier restaurant. Student athletes have no direct control over money spent on food at athletic outings, as they do not set the budget or determine where they will eat.
Off-campus students Off-campus students stated that they eat the vast majority of their meals at home, because it is cheaper and easier. The participants felt that they ate healthfully as they could, citing fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods, lean proteins, and foods with no trans-fats as contributors to a healthy diet. Popular meal choices included a variety of stir-fries, chicken, eggs, pasta, and soup. Typically sandwiches and snacks are brought to eat on-campus. Students most often shopped at Willie’s and felt that Morris grocery stores had healthy food options, but many complained about the lack of produce variety. Two interviewees said that they shopped in Alexandria or the metro area because the prices were cheaper. All of the interviewees said that it was important to have a healthy body and that eating healthfully was essential. All participants stated repeatedly that a lack of money prevented them from eating as healthfully as they would like. Individuals indicated that grocery prices, specifically for produce, are too high, and that prices of on-campus food options are also far too expensive. Many participants said that cheap and convenient food is sometimes the only option for busy college students, despite its unhealthiness.
On-campus students Many students expressed concerns about high prices at Turtle Mountain Cafe and at the Dining Hall, the financial burden of food plans, and that food was not accessible at all times throughout the day. They spent additional money on alternatives not covered by their food plans, whether it was healthier (for example, the food co-op for its variety) or unhealthy food (such as cheaper junk food). Students interviewed did not feel that they had the same flexibility as other on-campus individuals, often skipping meals due to class scheduling conflicts. Students on
Student parents Students who are also parents have tight time constraints due to balancing classes, studying, occupations, and family time. These students reported choosing fast food or pre-packaged options, skipping meals during the day, and eating a larger meal later in the evening. Some participants were single parents with one source of limited income. Some participants reported driving 30 minutes to Wal-Mart in Alexandria to buy cheaper food. Some participants indicated that they could not afford to buy meals on campus when they don’t have time to cook. The stress of balancing a busy life can leave parents too drained to “fight” children to eat healthy meals, so “kid-friendly” options, like pre-packaged foods or fast-foods are used, yet concern for their children’s health led many participants to strive toward healthy options. Some participants thought that the lack of healthy ingredients available in Morris limited their ability to make healthy meals. Participants expressed an appreciation for the Pomme de Terre Food Co-op, as it offers some organic and ethnic foods, but also expressed a concern about prices. Student parents value the Morris Farmers Market and many are eager to have a greater number of markets so they can access more local and fresh foods.
MORRIS HEALTHY EATING INITIATIVE
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