Make Wellness a Priority
Case Study
Rachael, Dean of Students at a large northeastern university, was interested in bolstering her student wellness program. The university had beautiful fitness facilities, ample inter-mural sports opportunities, healthy eating options and a vibrant student body. And yet, Rachael observed that freshmen did, indeed gain weight at an alarming rate.
A recent study found that average male college freshmen gained around 6 pounds the first semester and the average female college freshman gains around 4 pounds the first semester. Nearly one out of six gained 10 or more pounds during freshman year, and 6 percent gained the "Freshman 15" or more. At the end of the freshman year, more than 17 percent were overweight or obese, compared to only 14 percent at the start.
While the causes of weight gain among college students are still being studied, observers say that college students increase alcohol intake, experience more stress, eat fattier and more processed foods and are less active than they were in high school. A college student does not have the same regimented life with regular meal times, daily schedules and sports teams that they may have had in high school, and thus, their metabolisms naturally adjust.
Rachael needed a high-tech solution. Rachael found Yo-Fi Wellness and implemented it across the entire student body with great success. Yo-Fi Wellness was added as a wellness option for incoming freshmen. With it's technology advantage of being a software application, Yo-Fi Wellness allowed students to access yoga, fitness, nutrition and meditation classes anytime and anywhere. Since most college students living in dorms have varied schedules, this was a huge advantage. Furthermore, Yo-Fi Wellness's robust calendar function allowed students to "schedule in" wellness activities amid their busy schedules. Yo-Fi Wellness was an inexpensive solution that was quickly adopted by the students and their parents because it is a high-tech, portable solution that makes perfect sense in the college and university environment.
Rachael now sees a student body that is more engaged in their well-being. Rachael is comforted knowing that her students are equipped with the tools they need to maintain fitness and all excuses and barriers have been eliminated.
Yo-Fi Wellness has also helped the university's bottom line. Parents and students pay a nominal subscription fee for Yo-Fi Wellness and half of that fee goes to the university. Additional revenues with no additional overhead... Now that's smart!
