With more than half the population becoming obese in the next 20 years, citizens need to make it a priority to stay healthy to hopefully keep this statistic from coming to fruition.

Yet MSU has a surprisingly low obese population compared to the statewide average. According to a 2010 university health study, 32.5 percent of students were overweight, and of this group, only 9.8 percent were considered obese.

Although this number reflects positively on MSU’s student population, many university health officials seem more concerned with students who are underweight or suffer from eating disorders.

A past State News article reported that at MSU, 2 to 5 percent — or about 1,400 students — suffer from some form of an eating disorder, and nearly 15 percent have a distorted relationship with food. It also found that although 70 percent of students are at or below the recommended BMI, 50 percent still are trying to lose weight.

A student’s body image might be the cause of his or her eating disorder as many are shown daily through television and magazines that the only way to be considered attractive is to be extremely thin.

With obesity and eating disorders being identified as a pertinent student issue at MSU, eating healthy needs to be something that all students consider during one of the most stressful times of their lives. After all, not eating healthy, whether in excess or not at all, can be detrimental to a student’s physical and mental health.

Obesity, especially, is a health issue that can cause heart disease, different types of cancers and many other health issues. Eating disorders can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which could result in paralysis and muscle atrophy.

Those with meal plans know the unhealthy food MSU offers its students at some meals, but healthy options also are available in campus cafeterias and restaurants. Studying also is necessary for a student’s academic success, but it can be time consuming, and students should try to fit study breaks into their schedule to allow time for a quick workout or give themselves time for an adequate, healthy meal.

Ultimately, both obesity and eating disorders are something every student must be aware of. College can be a stressful time for many students, causing some to gain unnecessary weight or starve themselves because of extreme study routines or poor eating habits. Yet, much like college, students can overcome these health afflictions by educating themselves on the best ways to stay healthy during their college years, whether living on or off campus.