Students present research at spring Nutrition Fair

Liberty University’s Department of Public and Community Health, under the School of Health Sciences, held its second nutrition fair of the academic year April 25. The fair enabled students to research and present  projects on topics related to nutrition and the human body. 

The Montview Ballroom was packed out with tables, posters and students eager to share their findings and learn. 

Jelena Obretkovich, a graduate student studying human performance and nutrition, stood near the entrance of the fair to share her project about anorexia.

This was her second time participating in the fair, and she chose the topic of anorexia because of its prevalence. Her presentation aimed to educate students about the eating disorder and the effects it can have on someone as well as emphasize how God has made food and nutrients to be good for the body. 

“Each of us can be a light for whoever’s coming in,” Obretkovich said, explaining how a wide variety of people attend the event, even those from outside Liberty. “I always include some kind of personal faith statement.” 

Senior Meghan Johns presented on common spices used in cooking and the health benefits they have. 

“Black pepper can help with allergies,” Johns explained, giving an overview of the way that the spice can help people with hay fever or even anaphylactic allergies. “You don’t have to have a lot of (spices) in your diet to see the health benefits.” 

Johns, a physical education major with a minor in public health, credits her love of spices to her upbringing and her recent trip to Grenada with Samaritan’s Purse. 

“Grenada is actually known as the island of spice,” Johns said. “These are all spices that they made on the island.” 

Johns had an array of spice samples on her table and encouraged others to use these spices as part of a regular diet because of their health benefits

Throughout the ballroom, students presented on topics such as skeletal health, caffeine, high fructose corn syrup, menstrual cycles, vitamins and minerals, coconut oil and much more. 

Jake Dressel, a sophomore studying physical education, presented on the benefits of catching and eating fish locally rather than buying them from the store where they are often raised in fish farms. Dressel explained how locally caught fish have more vitamins and minerals and are often more tender to eat. 

To learn more about the Department of Public and Community Health, visit their website. 

Johnson is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion