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5 things: Study blames “Freshman 15” on lack of exercise, not diet

This and a major South Korean caterer winning a B&I cafeteria contract in the U.S. are some of the stories you may have missed recently.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

September 7, 2021

3 Min Read
people running on treadmill in gym.jpg
College students often put on weight during their freshman year—the so-called "Freshman 15" though studies peg it at closer to eight pounds—and a lack of structured exercise may be largely to blame, a new study suggests.nd3000 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

  1. Study blames “Freshman 15” on lack of exercise, not diet

College students often put on weight during their freshman year—the so-called "Freshman 15" though studies peg it at closer to eight pounds—and a lack of structured exercise may be largely to blame, a new study suggests. It followed freshmen at the University of Georgia and food they gained three to four pounds, on average, during their first semester, with a lack of vigorous exercise being a big factor while the team found no connection between on-campus living or meal-plan status and students' weight gain.

Read more: One Key Factor Drives Weight Gain in College

  1. Long lunch lines reported at high school may post safety risk

A student at Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology High School in Jacksonville posted photos of long lunch lines leading into the school’s cafeteria that he says have become a daily ritual and may pose a safety risk. The student, who asked not to be identified, said he spent his entire 30-minute lunch period one day standing in line waiting to enter the cafeteria in a crowded hallway where some students weren’t wearing masks.

Related:5 things: Pandemic increased childhood obesity, study finds

Read more: Student raises concerns about long, crowded lunch lines at Jacksonville high school

  1. Major Korean caterer enters U.S. market with USPS deal

Our Home, a major South Korean food catering service provider to businesses, recently was reported to have won a bid to run a cafeteria in the United States Postal Service’s processing and distribution center in Los Angeles beginning before the end of September. According to the report, the cafeteria is expected to operate 24 hours every day and include a salad bar, grilling station, to-go section and two other outlets. A mobile ordering system and more take-out options will be available for delivery staff who mostly work outside of the facility.

Read more: Korea’s Our Home catering firm is branching out in the US

  1. School system uses rental trucks to deliver food to school sites

Like many other school systems, Bessemer City Schools in Alabama is experiencing food supply and delivery problems that hamper procurement and menu planning. One strategy it developed in response was to use a rental truck to load the food and drop off the boxes to each school site. “We received what we could this past Tuesday, they could not deliver to any of our schools, except for one and we have seven schools," explained Child Nutrition Program Director Shawn Shaw.

Related:5 tech things: NASCAR debuts “virtual restaurant” for at-home fans

Read more: Bessemer City Schools tackle lunchroom supply shortages

  1. Britain to ban single-use plastic utensils

The British government has announced plans to ban single-use plastic utensils in England as part of a wide-ranging Environmental Bill that aims to tackle plastic pollution. On of the provisions of the bill, which has gained new amendments since its last pass through Parliament in May, aims to reduce litter and cut plastic waste by removing the use of single-use plastic forks, knives and spoons.

Read more: British government to ban single-use plastic utensils

Bonus: Healthcare system enhances menu to better please customer base

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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