The new “Take a Fresh Fruit Break” health and nutrition program at Fresno State begins this week with testing of students’ body composition and fresh fruit distribution as part of a new campaign to teach students about their personal health and add more fresh to their diet.

Registered dietitian and registered dietitian interns from the Fresno State Student Health and Counseling Center and student staff members from the Student Recreation Center are collaborating for the new campaign.

The body composition testing from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on today (Sept. 1) at the Student Recreation Center will be the first of several activities planned this semester.

Body composition testing is a useful indicator for those at risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, said Kathy Yarmo, coordinator of Health Promotion and Wellness Services.

The second event will be the fruit distribution from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 in the Free Speech Area. Volunteers from the Food Security Project will also hand out information about their resources including their newly relocated Student Cupboard.

The distribution is scheduled every Thursday to give students increased to nutritional food options.

The “Take a Fresh Fruit Break” program is a response to results from a National College Health Association survey that indicated 65 percent of college students consume only one to two servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This is less than half of the recommended daily serving amount, Yarmo said.

For more information, contact  Yarmo at 559.278.6739.