Healthy living isn’t exactly what comes to mind when you think about college life. Yes there’s the studying, but there’s also the access to fast food and a lot of partying.
So it may come as a surprise that the University of Georgia in Athens ranks in the top five among the nation's universities when it comes to the healthiest campuses, according to Greatist.com, a health and fitness website.
Greatist.com said it came up with its list of top 25 campuses offering the best environment “for leading a fit, healthy, and happy life” by scoring schools on food, fitness and health services.
The website, which describes itself as "the trusted health and fitness source for the young, savvy, and social," relied on extensive student surveys conducted by The Princeton Review and College Prowler to come up with its results.
UGA – No. 5 after the University of California at Los Angeles (1), Stanford University in California (2), University of North Dakota (3) and Colby College in Waterville, Maine (4) – received high marks for its food service, nutrition consultations and “smart-eating courses with a dietitian,” the website notes.
“The University of Georgia was also one of the only schools we found with 24-hour dining during the week, so even after a late-night study session students don’t need to resort to fast food,” the website said.
UGA offers dental, dermatological and vision care, in addition to cooking classes and wellness workshops. Greatist.com also cited a “Biggest Loser” program, a 10-week program that provides the resources and support students need to reach their fitness goals.
UCLA, among other services, was cited for offering acupuncture and massage therapy, mind and body workshops (of course) and massage chairs to its students.
University of North Dakota students are benefiting from a $20 million gym they paid for by agreeing to a tuition hike for six years.
Students at Colby College have a fitness complex that has an ice rink, in addition to a pool and indoor track.
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