NBC’s Nightline aired a segment on Feb. 19 titled “A Tale of Two Cities: Fattest and Fittest Towns in America.”  Huntington, W. Va. was named the “fattest” city, while Burlington was named the “fittest.” 

According to the study, published by the Centers for Disease Control, Burlington consistently ranked much higher than Huntington in matters of obesity, heart disease and diabetes and more.

North vs. south

Sophomore Drennan Hicks scales an ice wall on a recent Wilderness Program trip. (Photo by Andrew Lanoue)

The piece documented why each town believes it earned itsrespective title.  The people of Huntington said they were unhealthy because they live in a college town, where fast food restaurants run rampant, and it is too cold to go outside in the winter to exercise.

Meanwhile, 860 miles north, lies Burlington, another college town where the weather is significantly colder, the report said.

“Folks that live in the area enjoy being active, winter is not really a deterrent, for some it’s an attractant,” said Eben Widlund, assistant director of the Wilderness Program.  “I think we see that in students as well.  There are a lot of students that come up here because there are ski mountains close by, and there’s a ski pass involved.”

Widlund said he thinks St. Michael’s does add to Burlington’s title of fittest city.

“A lot of people move to the area because of recreational opportunities: skiing, hiking, climbing, paddling,” he said.

The winter programs offered by the Wilderness Program include snowshoeing, cross country skiing, back country skiing, telemark skiing, ice climbing and backpacking.  The winter programs are as popular within the student body as the spring programs are, Widlund said.

So far this winter, 75 students have gone on snowshoeing trips, 50 on ice climbing trips, 25 on telemark ski trips, 50 on the learn-to-ski-or-snowboard program, and 200 on the Smugg’s bus, he said.

Marcel Choquette, director of intramurals, said that because of the Wilderness and intramural programs, St. Michael’s helps earn Burlington’s title.

About one-third of the college is involved with varsity sports, and many take part in the three fitness level courses and eight team activities offered by the intramural department every semester, he said.

Between 1200-1400 spots are filled on intramural rosters each year, but this does not take into account students who play more than one intramural.  However, it is still a large percent of the college, Choquette said.

“St. Michael’s fits into the mold and helps Burlington reach the title,” he said.  “The largest employer in Burlington is higher education.  Students tend to stay involved physically and athletically.”

Good eats

Hank Strashnick, general manager of Sodexo dining services at St. Michael’s, said he thinks Burlington was given the title because there is a large population of college graduates, who are generally more health conscious and active, especially in the winter.

The salad bar in the Green Mountain Dining Hall is one of the most popular selections among students at St. Michaels (Photo by Lucia Suarez)

“People try and be more active because of the cold weather in the winter,” he said.  “People feel cooped up and feel like they should be doing something because they just can’t walk around in the winter.  People make a conscious effort to do something (outside).”

Strashnick said he has seen an increase in healthier food consumption within the last six or seven years in the Green Mountain Dining Room

“The Garden Toss (salad bar) has increased greatly, and continues to be and always has been since the day we opened it, a strong component.  But, at the expense of the grill, the entrée and even to some degree the pizza station,” he said.

Strashnick said that in 2002-2003; when there was no salad bar, Chef’s Corner or wrap station, the higher calorie stations were getting a lot more business, but now, wraps have consistently been the most popular lunch food.  He said the amount of soda being consumed has also decreased in recent years.

“The consumption of soda has slowly gone down, as the Powerade and juice blends have come up,” he said.  “There’s still a lot of sugar, but it’s the perception that it is better.  We sell more bottled juice at Café Cheray and the Knight Stand than soda.  And water is a big, big seller.”

A lot of the comments posted in the dining hall have been for things such as less creamed and more lighter soups, sauces on the side and more vegetables, Strashnick said.

“Absolutely (St. Michael’s adds to Burlington’s title),” he said.  “Look at the foods we’re serving now compared to six or seven years ago. It’s going in that direction and continuing.”