Bay City freshman Dylan Ratell is a little worried about gaining more weight.

Yet he is becoming more involved in activities, including theatrical dancing, that allows him to move a little, shake a little and exercise more to combat the battle of adding pounds.

“I have been obese before, because I was not getting up to exercise, but I actually I have been losing weight since I have been here,” he said.

Obesity rates are rapidly increasing in the United States, causing more than one-third of U.S. adults, or more than 72 million people, to be obese, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Obesity also is hitting some college campuses hard.

According to research from the University of New Hampshire in 2007, 18- to 24-year-olds are headed toward chronic health diseases, which cause high blood pressure and an increased risk of coronary heart disease and other diseases related to plaque buildups in artery walls.

Data from the study was collected from 800 undergraduates enrolled in a nutrition course, and at least one-third of the UNH students were overweight or obese.

Obesity crosses culture, gender, socioeconomic status, education and geographic region, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Najat Yehia, a human environmental studies assistant professor, said many factors that can contribute to weight gain because of the society people live in with fast food restaurants at every street corner, unlimited junk food television commercials and larger portion food sizes.

“There is a trend toward a decrease in physical activity due to many forms of work and changing modes of transportation that keep people from eating healthy,” she said.

Students targeted by obesity

On a college campus, some factors behind high obesity rates include a busy class schedule, extracurricular activities and social lives, Yehia said.

But a big issue is college students are affected by their peer groups and how willing they are to exercise and be motivated, she said — not necessarily that students do not have money.

“Students don’t need money. They can just walk on campus and exercise for free. And when they are stressed, they don’t schedule free time exercise,” Yehia said.

The options for eating healthy and exercising are endless and affordable.

Students on a budget can select whole wheat instead of white bread, skim milk over whole milk, and eat grilled or baked foods instead of fried foods and fit in time to work out. Students have to simply make the better choice, as an apple costs roughly the same amount as an chocolate bar, Yehia said.

“(Students) eat comfort foods when they are under stress,” she said. “It’s not the healthy choice.”

How to fight it

Students can incorporate walking around campus more in between classes to fit into their regimen, Yehia said.

“A key strategy during the weight-loss process is for the person to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that is not only lower in calories but high in nutrient density,” Yehia said. “Physical activity is very essential not only for losing weight, but for having good health. It should part of everyday life activities.”

New Haven graduate student Brendon Wright considers himself healthy and has even avoided the infamous freshman 15 by working out about five days a week and eating healthier foods.

“My mother always cooked healthy style foods since we were little, and I lift weights every other day and run on the days that I do not lift — I am pretty disciplined in my daily workouts and eating habits,” Wright said.

Students can take small steps, such as splitting a dessert with a friend or dividing their plate into thirds, including carbs, protein and vegetables, Yehia said.

E-mail the author: Sherri Keaton