Analytical Report

ANALYTICAL REPORT

DATE: October 23, 2018

PREPARED FOR: Board of Directors at San Jose State University

REPORT BY: Iluv W. Bee, Analyst

SUBJECT: Healthy Food and Lifestyle Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Nutritional intake and exercising are two essential factors that contribute to students’ overall mental health and academic performance. As obesity continues to be a rising public health issue, students at San Jose State University should have the option to healthier diets and fitness programs. Because students spend hours in the day on campus, they depend upon the food and facilities available at San Jose State University. The purpose of this report is to analyze and compare the advantages and disadvantages of creating healthier food options and fitness programs at San Jose State University.

The advantages of implementing healthier food options and fitness programs. Exercising and eating healthy food are important factors to an optimal learning experience because it increases energy and stamina. As for implementing fitness programs, the accessibility of these programs allows students to release any stress- which has a negative influence on students’ academic performance. With a healthy lifestyle, students improve in their emotional and physical health, as well as their overall academic performance.

The disadvantages of implementing healthier food options and fitness programs. One of the main concerns with implementing this new program is the cost. Replacing or adding new healthy food options and fitness program may affect San Jose State’s budget. Therefore, this program has to be analyzed in a way that allows San Jose State to implement these health programs while remaining within their budget. When implementing these programs, another factor to take into consideration is that some students may choose to take advantage of these new programs while others will not. While each is entitled to their own choice, when students prefer the alternative, fast food or lack of exercise, this action may hinder their academic performance and increase their chance of obesity- which all has a direct association to depression. Although it’s not possible to force students to make specific decisions, San Jose State has the capability of encouraging the use of these new programs by making the options accessible to students.

In conclusion, based on the following report, this new program has more advantages than disadvantages. Because a healthy diet and lifestyle have a direct effect on students’ sleep, mood, energy, and stamina, implementing healthier food options and fitness programs will improve students’ overall academic performance which results in San Jose State having a higher rating of students with high academic success. There are many different programs and food options to choose from. Based on my research, I would suggest San Jose State make these changes:

· Promote on-campus recreational centers through the partnership with retailers

· Partner with new vendors that supply cost-efficient and healthy foods

· Notify students about the newly implemented programs

INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To determine how implementing new menu options and fitness programs positively affects the academic performance of students. I will first examine the healthy food options available for students at high academic performing universities like Stanford University and UCLA. After examining the healthy dining options available at these universities, I will present a positive correlation between foods and academic performances such as productivity, sleep, and mood. In addition, I will also include the positive effects of implementing fitness programs that also demonstrates a positive correlation on academic performances. By replacing the fast food options in the cafeteria with nutritious meals and promoting new fitness programs on-campus recreational center, we hope to combat serious health effects.

SOURCES AND METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

The data that will be used throughout this upcoming report will come from surveys, San Jose State University King Library Database and Academic Journals

BACKGROUND

According to San Jose State’s Student Health Center, in 2014, an email was sent out as a comprehensive survey to the entire student body and found that out of 5,000 respondents, 39% said they had often skipped meals while they were hungry because they couldn’t afford food (Sanders, 2015). As a result, San Jose State addressed this food insecurity concern by adding more affordable food choices. However, most food choices are mainly fast food vendors like Panda Express, Subway, Builds Pizza and Tu Taco. While San Jose State has resolved their concerns on food insecurities, health concerns begin to arise. In 2017, studies were conducted and showed a correlation between diets high in glucose and impaired brain functions. With 36% of American adults and 17% of children obsessed, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in America (HHS Office, & Council on Sports, 2017). Not only should a new food program be implemented, but also a fitness program to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and reduce any potential risks of cardiovascular disease. These statistical backgrounds demonstrate the importance of making a change in dietary habits starting from college dining facilities.

SCOPE

The analysis in this report will indicate the benefits of implementing a food and fitness program to both San Jose State students and the academic success ratings at San Jose State. This report will discuss ways to implement these new programs in the most cost-efficient method.

LIMITATIONS

This report will only incorporate healthy food and fitness programs in an attempt to promote a healthier lifestyle for San Jose State Students. The effectiveness of these programs varies per person due to preference and is only a provided option for a generalized healthier lifestyle.

REPORT ORGANIZATION

This report will first compare the different healthy food options that Stanford and UCLA provide for their students. Then, I will compare the positive correlation between a healthy lifestyle, the consumption of healthy foods and fitness routine, with students’ overall academic success; healthy foods improve students’ academic performance by having a direct effect on their sleep, mood, energy, and stamina. Lastly, this report will present an estimation of the total cost of implementing healthy food and fitness programs, followed by a final conclusion and recommendations.

HEALTHY FOOD PROGRAMS AT HIGH PERFORMING UNIVERSITIES

1. Food programs provided at Stanford University: the following photos were obtained through Stanford’s website (“The Cafe at the Arrillaga Alumni Center,” n.d.):

The images displayed above are some menu items from Stanford University on-campus cafe. The first image is called “Grain Bowls” which can either be a breakfast or lunch item; it is filled with a variety of vegetables and different types of grains that are high in protein. The second image is their “Acai Bowls” which is a blend of mixed berries filled with antioxidants- and are topped off with more solid fruits. The last image is the avocado toast- which helps boost HDL cholesterol levels- topped off with a poached egg. These menu items provide nutritious breakfast meals that positively impact students’ performances throughout the day.

2. Food programs provided at UCLA: the following photos were obtained through UCLA’s dining website (“Fresh is Always In Season,” n.d.):

The images above are some of UCLA’s food options from their dining hall, Bruin Plate. The first image is called “Miso-Lime Tofu and Sautéed Kale” which contains locally grown tofu- a good source of amino acids and protein- and kale. The second image is called “Salmon and Dill Open-face Sandwich” contains salmon, cucumbers, spinach over wheat bread- which provides high protein, vitamins, and minerals. UCLA provides several different dining halls depending on location, but Bruin Plate is a designated dining hall specifically for healthier food options.

A HEALTHY DIET AND FITNESS ROUTINE IMPROVES PERFORMANCE

1. The physical health impact: Incorporating moderate physical activity routines and nutritious and balanced meals allows students to maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of Cardiovascular Disease and boost their immune system. If students’ immune systems are strong, they are more likely to concentrate and perform well in school. In 2014, a study was conducted to demonstrate the correlation between grade average and a healthy diet and fitness routine of 16,095 undergraduate students. The study shows students who had a moderate amount of physical activity, strength training, and fruit and vegetable intake had a higher grade average as opposed to those students who did not (Wald et. al, 2014). Therefore, implementing a healthy diet and fitness routine is essential to meet academic challenges and produce an optimal academic performance.

0. The psychological health impact: Some psychological health benefits that come from moderate physical activity routines and nutritious and balanced meals include an increase in energy, productivity, and concentration. In addition, maintaining balanced meals improves quality of sleep which ultimately affects weight control and levels of concentration to improve academic performance (McLaughlin, 2018). When students maintain a fitness routine, their brain releases chemicals that have a direct effect on their mood- chemicals like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals released from physical activity positively affects students’ mood into feeling happy which help counter any feelings of stress, depression, or negative moods.

THE COST

1. The cost of UCLA’s healthy dining hall: In 2013, UCLA renovated their dining hall at a total cost of $2.4 million (Raven, 2013). As early as 2015, UCLA began to implement nutritious foods and began to supply “cage-free eggs, locally raised and processed beef and dairy from local farms” from different vendors. According to UCLA Annual Foodservice Sustainability Policy Report in 2015, the total cost spent on antibiotic-free chicken was $260,000 with an additional $120,000 increase in sustainable items and $36,000 on locally-grown produce (Noh et. al, 2015). However, with UCLA’s full academic year meal plan pricing, in 2015-2016, of $3,460, they increased their sustainable spend of up to 13%. This systematic cost plan allows UCLA to implement healthier diets as well as making revenue from meal plans.

The figure below was obtained from UCLA’s Sustainability website (“Food Systems,” n.d.):

0. The cost of providing a similar plan at San Jose State University: In order to calculate the total cost of implementing a new food program at San Jose State University, we must consider the number of students enrolled at San Jose State- 35,367 (“How Does San Jose State University Rank Among America's Best Colleges?,” n.d.). However, only 15% of the students enrolled live on campus or some San Jose State affiliated housing. With a rough estimate, we will assume that only 10%, 3,537 students, purchase meal plans and an additional 8%, 2,547 students, of the student population, regardless of housing, purchases food on campus- leaving this to a total of 6,084 students that purchase food on campus. Students with a meal plan and students who purchase food on campus create a revenue for San Jose State of roughly $20.1 million. Assuming that San Jose State spends an additional $2,000 per estimated student who purchases food on campus, San Jose State will have to spend a rough estimated total cost of $14.1 million on the healthy food program. Although $14.1 million is spent, San Jose State will still be making an annual total revenue of $6 million.

CONCLUSION

When taking into consideration all the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a new health and fitness program at San Jose State, the advantages may seem to override the disadvantages. High academic performing schools like Stanford and UCLA provide healthy food options for the students which correlate to their overall academic performance. Being that Stanford and UCLA are considered some of the more prestigious and challenging schools to be admitted due to high academic expectations and other competitive applicants.

From the data and studies presented, it shows that implementing healthy diets and fitness routines indicate a positive psychological and physical outcome. By following these programs, it has been shown to relieve students from stress, promotes positive moods, develop weight control, an increase in energy and stamina.

Aside from the positive outcomes, the concerns are the cost of implementing such programs. After careful evaluation and estimation, it was concluded that despite the increase in spendings for new foods, San Jose State will still be making an annual revenue of $6 million from implementing a new food program.

Finally, this report concludes that if these programs are implemented, the results of providing healthier food options and a fitness program promotes higher academic performances from students which increases the academic ratings of San Jose State.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Promote on-campus recreational centers:

Promote on-campus recreational centers by creating a partnership with retailers to discounts on types of equipment and renting venues for clubs off campus. For an example, the golfing club at San Jose State needs a large amount of golfing equipment so San Jose State creates a partnership with a specific retailer that sells these equipment in bulk quantities for a cheaper price. In addition, San Jose State can increase specific retailing companies overall revenue by purchasing types of equipment in bulk sizes and through free advertisement of the retailing company. With quality types of equipment available, it could promote the usage of on-campus clubs and recreational centers.

0. Partner with new vendors that supply cost-efficient and healthy foods:

Aside from implementing new food options, San Jose State can create a partnership with local farmers markets and allow these markets to rent out a section of San Jose State during specific times through the week, in exchange for lower cost organic food they’re selling.

0. Notify students about the newly implemented programs

Notify students about the newly implemented programs available to them. Some tactics to use may be sending out a massive email to all students enrolled, create flyers and broadcast it on San Jose State’s blog website. In addition to different ways of announcing these new programs, San Jose State should also inform students of the detailed health benefits these programs and its positive correlation to academic achievement.

REFERENCES

Food Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2018, from

https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/our-initiatives/food-systems/

Fresh is Always In Season. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2018, from

http://bruinplate.hhs.ucla.edu/

HHS Office, & Council on Sports. (2017, January 26). Importance of Good Nutrition. Retrieved

October 24, 2018, from