UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT FIRST IN NATION TO OFFER UNDERGRADS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
Innovative Vtrim Program Teaches Students How to Adopt Healthy Eating and Exercise Behaviors
11.04.2009 – Burlington, VT – The University of Vermont now offers a one-credit, semester-long course to undergraduates who want to learn healthy eating and exercise behaviors. The course is "Vtrim for Undergraduates," an online weight management program based on clinical research by Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino.
Obesity continues to grow as a public health problem. Obesity prevalence is 19.1% for men and women aged 18—29 years (source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007).
"A newly identified group at risk for major weight gain is college students, who appear to gain much of this excess weight in their freshmen year," said Dr. Harvey-Berino, professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Vermont and founder of Vtrim. "The University of Vermont is trying to be part of a solution to this escalating trend."
"Vtrim for Undergraduates" arms students with the tactics and knowledge to combat weight gain and help them stay healthy long-term through behavior modification.
Students receive a proper education with a trained instructor who can guide them on a path to healthy eating. They learn about portion control, how to read and understand nutrition information, and how to reduce barriers to physical activity. They also have access to an online food journal, where they keep track of what they eat, look up food information data, store foods they eat often in a virtual pantry and track their exercise data. Facilitators provide feedback on the journal, reinforcing behavior change and providing encouragement. They also receive encouragement from fellow students, who engage in conversation via live chat.
The core 24-week Vtrim program is available online to anyone, anywhere. The shorter, thirteen-week course is tailored to fit into a traditional college semester. Typical weight loss for this type of intervention is one to two pounds per week. There is no additional cost to students over and above the cost of tuition.
Though some students sign up to lose weight, a predominant number enroll to learn healthy behaviors. Many find that they aren’t necessarily overweight, but that their poor food choices and lack of exercise have a detrimental effect on their overall health and nutrition intake. Students work with their instructor to set realistic goals and establish a healthy perspective on their individual lifestyle.
"What I enjoy about Vtrim is the Bulletin Board feature," said Sabrina DeRose, a senior at the University of Vermont. "My class is big on sharing recipes and workout routines and it’s a great way of sharing. That way, if you're not sure, someone else can help you. I'm not a big cook so I need all the help I can get!"
All Vtrim participants, college students and beyond, get a sustainable, educational and clinical program for successful long-term behavior change – and it’s all just a click and a keystroke away.
About Vtrim Weight Management Program
The Vtrim Weight Management Program was developed by Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., R.D., a nationally recognized weight-loss researcher at the University of Vermont. Dr. Harvey-Berino’s concept is based on behavior changes: a systematic shaping of daily habits to help people move more and eat less.
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- UVM students get healthy with @Vtrim Online for college credit. Shed pounds, get healthy #weight
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- News Facts
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- Vtrim is a 24-week research-based online behavioral weight loss program developed at the University of Vermont by Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino.
- Vtrim participants get a sustainable, educational and clinical program for successful long-term weight loss – and it’s all just a click and a keystroke away.
- Vtrim’s “virtual coaches” – a team of expert health facilitators who lead each group – differentiate Vtrim from all other programs, which are either peer-led or offer no professional feedback.
- Average weight loss is 1-2 lbs.
Average percentage weight loss for the 24-week program is 10.8 percent. - Vtrim also incorporates exercise goals, which are not typically the focal point of other weight loss programs.
- Resource Links
- Vtrim Online
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- Vtrim, UVM, University of Vermont, college, university, health, wellness, weight, weight loss, weight loss program, diet, diet program, fitness, exercise, eating, food
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