FOOD THYMES
SPRING 2013 took advantage of this special rate. My technician, Daniel, said he intended to lose the weight he had gained after moving to our country and wanted to monitor his progress. I thought using the BodPod as a self-monitoring tool was an excellent idea for anyone pursuing a new weight loss or exercise regimen. The BodPod is located inside room 291 in Sequoia Hall. I had to stop by the ATM on the way to my appointment, as only cash or checks are accepted. I also had to confess to Daniel that I had just eaten a banana and had my morning tea less than two hours earlier. The test requires no eating or exercising two hours before your appointment. I proceeded regardless, but was warned my results might be slightly affected. Subjects must wear tight fitting clothing, such as a sports bra and spandex shorts. I was provided with a lycra head cap, which I wore during the test. Overall, the test took less than five minutes and the results were printed instantaneously. As I reviewed my print out, I immediately saw the benefit of returning at the start of the fall semester to find out if my summer fitness plans improve my numbers. The BodPod can be considered not only an assessment tool, but a motivational tool, as well. Only six other facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area offer BodPod services to the public, according to the manufacturer’s website (www.cosmed.com). The Marilyn Magaram Center, sponsored by CSUN’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, also offers a Diet Analysis service that complements the BodPod assessment. Together, you will get a snapshot of how your eating habits and level of physical activity affect your body composition and your overall health. This information may spur you to make critical lifestyle changes that will have a positive impact on your future wellness and longevity. And if you tell a friend or family member, you can affect the long-term health of your loved ones, too.
BodPod Health Assessment Available on Campus By Amanda Blake
The Marilyn Magaram Center, located on campus, offers a BodPod health assessment service to students and staff, as well as members of the community. The BodPod uses densitometry to estimate percent body fat. A direct correlation exists between a high percent body fat and health risks for chronic conditions, such as hypertension and insulin resistance. For this reason, it is an important screening tool for disease prevention. What is the BodPod? The BodPod is a chamber that uses air displacement to measure body density. The subject is weighed first, and this information, as well as age, gender, and height, is entered into the attached computer. The subject then sits inside the chamber, which is temporarily sealed (the chamber has a large window through which the subject can easily communicate with the technician). The air that is displaced by the individual is measured and provides the subject’s volume. The subject is then briefly connected to a breathing tube to determine the volume of gas inside the lungs. The amount of time the subject spends inside the sealed chamber is less than five minutes. Density is determined mathematically by dividing weight (mass) by volume, correcting for lung volume. Body density is related inversely to percent body fat and therefore, once body density has been determined, percent body fat and lean tissue mass can be derived. My Experience I decided to try the BodPod and searched CSUN’s website for information. I easily found the BodPod Guide with instructions to email [email protected] for an appointment. As a student, my session cost $35 (this is the same rate for CSUN staff). Community members pay $50 and there is a special rate for three sessions (completed within 12 months) of $100. The individual who had an appointment before mine
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