Students can get moving and be active while supporting a healthy community in the Nutrition and Dietetic Association’s Spring into Spring 2010 Fun Run.
Spring into Spring encourages students to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle and support programs to increase healthy living.
“The purpose of starting this event was to be able to give back to our community by raising funds that benefit nutrition awareness, nutrition education, and nutrition support throughout our community,” said Lucia Hisse, Nutrition and Dietetic Association (NDA) vice president and junior nutrition major. “We are also dedicated to encouraging a healthy lifestyle
through exercise.”
The event, which coincides with National Nutrition Month, will benefit the Brazos Valley Food Bank’s Backpack Program and the Mid-East Texas Dietetic Association.
“Not only is the money benefitting food-insecure children in the community, the fun run encourages an active lifestyle and healthy dietary habits,” said Jason Pelzel, NDA secretary and senior nutrition major. “This can be an opportunity to motivate runners to take their health and nutrition more seriously.”
Participants can choose to enter a 3K walk or a 5K run along a course marked on campus. The course covers a portion of the east part of campus, circling the polo fields and golf course. The event is at 8 a.m. and to noon. Awards will be given to the top male and female competitors.
“Nutrition is something that affects all of us no matter what our major, age, ethnicity or interests are,” Hisse said.
The NDA is a student organization at Texas A&M whose purpose is to educate members about the nutrition field and encourage involvement in the community through
service projects.
“Spring is almost here; there is no better time to start preparing for Spring Break,” said NDA President Mark Davis, senior nutrition major.
The Mid-East Texas Dietetic Association supports undergraduate students through annual scholarships, while the Brazos Valley Food Bank sponsors a program that directly impacts children.
“The Backpack Program distributes backpacks full of food for the weekend to children who struggle with food insecurity in the Brazos Valley area,” Pelzel said. “The importance of adequate nutrition during child growth and development cannot be overemphasized.”
NDA members said they hope the fun run will inspire students to live healthy and active lifestyles and that the event will increase awareness for personal fitness and community service.
“Through their help we can strive to end hunger and increase awareness of how important nutrition is in our day-to-day lives,” Hisse said.
Shaping up
For more information or to register for Spring into Spring ’10, visit http://tamu-nda.tamu.edu or the Facebook page “Spring into Spring ‘10.” Registration is $15 for those between 11 and 64 years old and $10 for 11 years old or above 65 years old. Registration on the morning of the event is an extra $5. In conjunction with the fun run, NDA will also host a profit share on Friday at Spoons Yogurt on Texas Avenue from noon to 2 p.m.