"It's a lot like Halloween," a voice from the crowd said at the 19th Annual Health Fair. With buckets of free candy, food, prizes, demonstrations and giveaways, Tuesday's Health Fair on Fairfield Way was very much like a carnival.
According to the UConn Web site, 28 different organizations were expected to show, offering information on their programs and other services. Amy Pumerantz, nutrition coordinator and health educator for the Student Health Services, described herself as "the one who kept the fair going," working alongside Health Education, the office of Special Programs and the Wellness and Nutrition departments of Student Health Services.
The goals of the fair, according to Pumerantz, are to let students know about the services available to them on campus, and to keep students as healthy as possible, even when their first priority is not their health.
"It's a lot more than eating right and exercise," Pumerantz said. "You can see by all the topic areas we're talking about the whole body."
The Health Fair took all the health-related organizations on campus and many other agencies off campus and put them all in one place. The School of Nursing table was checking blood pressures while giving a brief overview of how to maintain a healthy blood pressure. At the Body Art table, students could see and read from the information about the risks of piercings and tattoos and learn how to pick a tattoo artist and piercer. The Women's Health Clinic was giving free samples and information on healthy bones, birth control, and other common female concerns. The Nutrition Club was there to give information and sing in new members, as was Students Helping to Achieve Positive Esteem (SHAPE), which is a group that discusses issues, concerns and solutions regarding eating disorders. Other booths included Student Health Insurance, Depression and sex tables.
Amy Maloney, production chef from Northwest Dining Hall, was offering free samples of a typical healthy meal that one might find at the 'Lean Scene' of Northwest. According to Maloney, who was willing to give a breakdown of the nutrition facts of her meals, 'Lean Scene' follows the American Heart Association food guidelines to make low fat alternatives for lunch and dinner.
"We don't push diet," Maloney said. "Instead we make healthy versions of comfort foods."
Tiffany Wood, a 1st-semester nursing major, heard about the Health Fair through her nursing class and said she feels events like these are good to have.
"They have free samples and good information and you can make a fool out of yourself," she said, referring to the beer goggles on display that show things from the perspective of being uncontrollably drunk.
Along with campus organizations, the Health Fair was joined by outside agencies like the Red Cross, Planned Parenthood and Alcoholics Anonymous.
EMT Del Ekenbarger from the Uconn fire squad was there with an ambulance, fire coat, and medical bags to show students what he and others do for the school and what's available when needed.
"Last year we got 3,002 calls from campus," Ekenbarger said. "Therefore it's good to see what we're all about."
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