Chris Arnade's Analysis

The sleep deprivation, stress, and lack of exercise all resort back to the issue of food options that are accessible to students. It is evident that students are affected by stress and lack of sleep using food as a coping mechanism. This goes back to the unhealthy foods that are provided on campus that students have easy access to during these periods of time. All of these unhealthy and unlimited food choices offered add to the difficulty that student have making time for working out because of daily burnouts. These unhealthy foods students are eating only hinder students more, reducing the energy levels in students even more.

I feel there are many adjustments that could be made to help improve these areas that are being mostly affected

Arnade makes reference to how communities are held together because of these fast food restaurants. The idea that fast food places or dining halls can be considered a place where people can communicate and network with other people. On the other hand, there are many health disadvantages that come with eating at these fast food restaurants. Arnade states that “...lower-income Americans are feeling isolated by the deadening uniformity of things, by the emptiness of many jobs, by the media, they still yearn for physical social networks.” (Arnade) Though there some networking advantages that come with eating at these particular places this does not make an excuse for the poor and health foods that are offered. In this article Arnade makes reference to the lower income areas who are dependent on these fast food restaurants. In Barbara Ehrenreich “Serving in Florida” this reading surrounds the idea of Ehrenreich experimenting a low income lifestyle in her hometown in Florida. At one point in the reading she speaks about stopping at a wendy’s for a meal in between switching jobs and she realizes that the food has a negative effect on her body. She states that “There is a problem, though. When during the 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. dead time I finally sit down to wrap silver, my flesh seems to bond to the seat. I try to refuel with a purloined cup of soup.” (Ehrenreich) This shows us that even though this food is accessible to low income people it is still hindering their ability to function after eating these foods. We are able to see the same negative effects as college students eat in their dining halls and vending machines on campus. This provides us with clear evidence that people are eating at these places not because of the social networking opportunities, but because of the cheaper prices. Project coordinator