College campaign: The emergence of an older, more stressed and active student profile has prompted one third-level institute to promote preventative health issues with a series of cooking demonstrations, talks and activities.
The campaign entitled Soul 2 Soul debuted in Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) last year and returns next week with more than 60 organisations hoping to appeal to the health conscience of students.
From body fat and flexibility tests to demonstrations on how to make a fruit smoothie and talks on health risks, GMIT will witness a flurry of activity to promote mental, physical, sexual and emotional health.
The cooking demonstrations which will show students how to whip up a healthy meal for two in less than 10 minutes for €5.
Six cookery students have been researching low-budget healthy meals on the basis that they must be low fat, low sugar, low salt, high fibre and easy to prepare.
The cookery demonstrations hope to provide the take-away enthusiasts with an equally quick yet tasteful and healthy meal.
Since 1989, the institute, which is now home to some 4,500 students, has been promoting healthy eating and regular exercise through annual exhibitions.
But, according to president of the students union in GMIT, Kieran O'Malley, many students were hesitant about approaching the information stalls to ask questions about anything from STIs to weight problems.
Hence, the Soul 2 Soul week was born which provides instead a cocktail of information, activity, fun and yet important health messages. Crucially, it provides greater scope for questions from students.
"Students' biggest problem is the time issue. They are so busy that they don't have time to do their food shopping and when they have exams in college all day, they tend to be more run down and less likely to concentrate on eating healthily," said Mr O'Malley.
The opportunity to have blood pressure and cholesterol checked during Soul 2 Soul week is one of the most popular activities among students and staff alike.
As institutes such as Galway-Mayo have developed an increasing number of further education and post-graduate courses, the number of mature students attending the colleges has dramatically increased.
According to GMIT nurse Gemma Broderick, this mean different health needs have to be addressed.
Last year, the health clinic recorded 5,500 visits by students and over that period some changes in student behaviours have been noticed. "We have noticed an increase in alcohol consumption, and with that an increasing demand for the morning-after pill," said Ms Broderick.
In general, however, students are more aware of how to realise a balanced and healthy lifestyle, said Ms Broderick.
Soul 2 Sole II will take place in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology from next Tuesday to next Thursday.