John Dolese, a graduate student in the Kinesiology department, shows a student the sugar content in different drinks.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar

For National Health Education Week, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies set up tables in the Student Union Breezeway.

On Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies set up tables with information and activities to get students involved. There were tables with information about sugar intake, alcohol consumption, self-examinations for breasts, testicular cancer and more. To get students active, they had hula-hoops, jump ropes and a parachute.

John Dolese III, a kinesiology graduate student believes in raising awareness in common day health.

“I think it’s very important to display different aspects of health that many people underlook most of the time,” said Dolese. “For example, when you look at how much sugar is in the drinks people have two, three times a day, seeing it visually, compared to reading it on the back of a label, puts it into a different perspective on what you’re actually in taking. Health is just something that everyone should have a better understanding of for their daily life.”

Dolese also believes it is their duty to educate the students.

“I hope out of all the tables they see one thing and it makes them think a little differently about how they approach different things whether it be alcohol consumption or daily sugar intakes,” said Dolese. “I just hope one thing sticks out differently and it changes the way they view health. If they read just one thing that might change their day that they never thought of, then we’re doing our job.”

Instructor Dee Hurtt says the primary purpose of setting up tables was to raise awareness in the community.

“I think a lot of people have heard many things in the news or whatever and have a curiosity, but haven’t really looked into it any farther,” said Hurtt. “So, it’s mostly for awareness and letting students know that there’s actually a profession too where you can go out and educate people on health. I don’t think people are aware of what health educators do.”

A senior general studies major, Taylor Broussard, reiterates Hurtt’s concerns that the community is undereducated.

“I think that our community, not just at Southeastern but all around, has a lack of education on community health, how to promote it, how to benefit from it, how to help their own community,” said Broussard.

Broussard thought the activity they prepared with drunk goggles was important for the students.

“Honestly just kind of more of an awareness that alcohol can be a fun thing to have and enjoy at times, but there are also dangerments,” said Broussard. “I think that we have kind of maybe affected a few people.”

Students thoroughly enjoyed the activities prepared and had fun being active.

“I’m not into things on campus,” said Elise Phares, a junior sociology major. “I don’t do anything that involves the school really, and things like this gets people like me out here. I just saw a hula-hoop and I was like, ‘I love hula hoops, this is it.’ Like this is what I do to work out, cause it’s fun. Whenever I feel like I’m working out I don’t want to, but whenever I’m just having fun, I can do it all day long.”

 

Students engage in a hula hoop contest to get active for National Health Education Week.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar

Students try out drunk goggles to experience, while sober, the effect of alcohol consumption on perception.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar

Students attempt to engage in a game of double dutch in honor of National Health Education Week.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar