Since fall 1998, more than 140 employees like entomology research associate Montague have used the program sponsored by the Campus Health Awareness Program at no cost.
Participants keep a food diary, recording how their food was prepared and the serving size.
At the end of three days, they submit the diary along with information regarding their height, weight, gender, activity level, and age to be analyzed by Celeste Alvarado. The intern for the Health Awareness Program uses a software program employed by dietitians to calculate participants' average nutrient and calorie intake. It's for people who are curious if they are getting what they need. Knowing the consequences Montague considers herself in the latter category. For example, Montague is now experiencing bone loss that may have been preventable when she was younger if she had consumed more foods with calcium.