Wellness Edition — March 27, 2025 by The Lantern

Ohio State dietitians assess how fad diets stack the odds against social media users

DIETS

By Lucy Lawler Managing Editor for Content

FState

instructor of practice in medical dietetics, experimenting with fad diets is like getting hooked on slot machines in Las Vegas: entic-mately draining and destruc-

“All of these diets create euphoria to begin with, but they’re just going to cause disappointment in the end,” said Weinandy, also a registered dietician with the Wexner Medi-

“fad diet” refers to any trendy eating plan that follows a strict

set of rules and promises immediate health results — especially without

immense popularity of short-form content-sharing apps like TikTok and

“cascade out of control,” she said. -

them tend to be recycled,” Weinandy said. “With social media, they just take wings, and it just really tends to take

graduate student in dietetics and nutrition, said fad diets often promote

more personalized health issues.

fad diets was largely limited to books social media gained cultural traction, watched a documentary, you could more strongly than we often think that it does.”

When it comes to nutritional fads dominating the 2020s — including the

said dietitians remain committed to DIETS continues on Pages 4-5 PILATES

instructors discuss growing demand for Pilates classes

Columbus yoga studio owners re ect on challenges, resilience, community ve years after COVID-19 shutdown

By Samantha Harden Arts & Life Editor

was in the early stages of openinglage neighborhood with her husband,

Unexpectedly, the couple’s realtor in the building. She wasn’t entirely sure why, but she went along with it anyway.

trial ceilings and 100-year-old brick said, taking it all in. “This could be a great yoga studio.”

mind. She earned her 200-hour teach2015 and was perfectly content teaching at other studios. But standing there, surrounded by the raw beauty of the space, she couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities.

want to share it with the community,”

She smiled, and at that moment, the right decision purchasing the space

“Happy birthday,” he said.

surprising one. But it was also a chalowned two businesses — the new bar— encouraged his wife to take a leap of her own.

She accepted. But she had no idea just how challenging the journey ahead would be, or why.

is one of many yoga studios that shut down in-person operations in March

sures, new beginnings and ongoing challenges. Now, studio owners like journeys throughout the pandemic, including the process of opening new spaces and the continued growth of the city’s yoga community.

LIT Life + Yoga

2017, describing it as a source of healing during a challenging period in her life.

through a tough time with my father being really sick and helping take care of my mom, and it just really helped

ness experiences beyond traditional yoga practices, including aromatherapy, infrared yoga and sound baths.

She said she remembers the exact weekend the studio had to shut down. The studio — which had also become

mandates and sanitizing all equipment after each use.

ineers — the studio’s term for its instructors — could continue teaching

“The yoga teachers, they really de-

nate that we were grounded in a strong foundation and that our community was so strong around us and stood with us.”

order, Unrue said she adapted by continuing to teach yoga remotely, leading few actually stayed open past that.”

pacity in-person sessions in summered protocols — including mandatory masks and rigorous sanitization — led many practitioners to opt for at-home yoga instead.

tial employees to remain at home as

for aerial yoga with one of the original

“We were so excited, and of course,Penzone said. -

mented health protocols such as incutting class sizes in half, maintaining six feet of distance, enforcing mask

her to open another studio location at

years since the pandemic, she has come to understand that the true essence of yoga lies in the sense of community it creates.

“People want to be back in their past year when we opened this other the mat, it is how it changes your life.”

Wild Root Yoga

had been teaching yoga for almost a

her and her colleagues to stay home in March 2020.

yoga studio in the city, and it had been for the last 30 years,” Unrue said. “We had a wonderful community and wonderful attendance. Business was booming, and then we had this unexpected situation.”

“There was a lot of paranoia in the and there were a lot of people that didn’t come back, and then you also had folks on the other end of the specmuch, so they were frustrated about just really shook up the dynamic in so many ways.”

High to teach at YogaSix’s Upper Ar-ber 2022, she said YogaSix closed its doors due to struggles with attendance

High did the same.

After YogaSix’s closure, Unrue said she was pushed to explore new ways for her and her colleagues to continue teaching yoga in their community.

“There were all these teachers that to do these classes as a sort of interim,

Unrue said she and the owner of BarTrop Plants — a plant store located

to accommodate classes of 20 students. But the store and studio quickly outgrew this capacity.

As Unrue searched for a larger2022. She now operates her own studio, Wild Root Yoga, in a space that allows her to host classes of up to 35 students.

Unrue said. “We’re doing really well, happened if it hadn’t been for the waydios in the community.”

Unrue also said she attributes Wild Root Yoga’s success to its emphasiswho comes in feels welcomed immediately,” Unrue said. “There’s no clique group of people, and there’s no

free and donation-based classes, and membership and attend all the classes and they can’t quite make that work budget-wise, we do pay-what-you-can agreements so that yoga is something

Underwood said it also helped that Modo Yoga’s layout naturally lent itself as the studio is located at the back of the building, beyond the lobby, bathrooms and locker rooms.

Students would enter, use the restroom, get ready and head to the stu-

and locker rooms were sanitized, and after class, students exited through the studio’s back door, allowing the studio spaces to then be cleaned.

and things were constantly changing,” Underwood said. “Looking back now,

ity when she opened the studio — currently located at 3242 N. High St. — in July 2019.

they could feel welcome, no matter what clothes they were wearing and-

Eilers said the studio, originally lo -

pandemic forced her to shut down.

Being new to the community, Eilers decided not to renew her lease in

2015.

around, there really weren’t any. So, here.”

derwood said the studio required parsign up for in-person classes when they reopened.

ty and found out 92% of our students wanted us to do it, so we did it,” Underwood said. “Some didn’t agree with the decision, and it was a really challengweather the storm.”

Underwood said the studio is now recently allowed him to open a second -

turned to in-person classes, opting instead for at-home pre-recorded sessions, Underwood said Modo Yoga fully replicated at home — something that has fueled the studio’s success and growth.

months, before opting to host in-person, socially distanced sessions at

and we weren’t in an enclosed space with a lot of people because we were all really worried about spreading

Eilers said she wasn’t sure if she would open another in-person studio until her students approached her, asking her to teach them how to become instructors. This led her to reopen inport from the community, she likelytell me that Zen Yoga is their safe space

grees — Underwood said the studio had to pause in-person classes but adapted daily and a database of pre-recorded lessons. The studio reopened with limallowing a capacity of 20 participants instead of the usual 45.

“Anyone can roll out their mat in their basement, but what you can’t do is turn up the heat and humidity in your house to get it to 100 degrees and humid like we can here,” Underwood said. “We want this to be a second home for people, and we want them to walk out feeling better than when they

Zen Yoga Studio

Similar to Unrue, Ellen Eilers, owner of Zen Yoga Studio, said she wanted -

so it’s a struggle for me to think about shutting it down because there are so many people that are getting so many

Modo Yoga

Participants pose during a class at Wild Root Yoga led by Cara Unrue Tuesday.

meeting patients where they are and eating habits.

they do,” Weinandy said. “We just want people to make the best decisions for their health.”

The carnivore craze

meaning millions — if not billions — scrolling.

health and wellness, as following such

steak on display at the What’s New at Comerica Park 2025 event in the DIETS continued from Page 1

only consuming animal products like some dairy. No plant foods, such as routine.

Though Weinandy acknowledged the diet can contribute to rapid weight loss, she said it also undermines total

fruit,” Weinandy said. “Again, when you look at any of these diets, the commonality is that they usually will exclude an entire food group, or maybe

tein or carbs.”

using the “stitch” feature to comment on clips from other creators.

“They’ll do a stitch of, like, a person

that’s not good! What are you talking

periences with fad diets. Still, working with people to pinpoint why and how — while emphasizing the long-termburdened healthcare system.

morning classes, then they’re just running on fumes,” Weinandy said.

Based on her expertise, Weinan-

“That kind of battle is going to play guess.”

Notably, Weinandy said college because it prioritizes high-quality

between time-restricted feeding and consistently partake in intermittent they might feel really bad about themwith fad diets,” Weinandy said. “They often create body dissatisfaction, and they can lower self-esteem if a person can’t follow it, which they usually can’t.”

The new frontier

Also known as time-restricted feeding, intermittent fasting occurs “when people restrict the time during the day MedlinePlus Magazine.

intermittent fasting could be healthy if a person consumes an adequate minerals within their chosen eating window.

Looking to the future, Weinantrend she will keep a sharp eye on. These drugs, which primarily function by suppressing patients’ appetites, are just one of many tools for weight should be fully aware of the attacheding into the same mindset as with fad

diets.

stricted feeding can be highly nuanced depending on the person in question —

ing it on their platforms. For instance,

becoming unstable. in intermittent fasting should considperformance and capacity to socialize, Weinandy said.

ly use caution with intermittent fasting because if they’re going until noon

a lot of muscle mass,” Weinandy said. “And when you lose muscle mass,wards malnutrition. A lot of people think of malnutrition as people that

reducing that muscle mass has a lottabolism, but your heart and other organs in your body.”

tra-processed foods,” he said. Though he has noticed numerous online cre -

the dietetics community is still strug-

who were studying ultra-processed leading researchers, and the host pos-

plant.’ So, leading researchers of thistion is. That’s part of the problem.”nants of health, mainly one’s socioeconomic status and access to fresh foods, these ongoing discussions.don’t want to tell people not to eat if this is the thing that is most accessible to them.”cies — is particularly important for the college-age demographic, Weinandy spread misinformation, she said seeking out a registered dietitian’s profes-

“Because we’re dietitians, and we’reandy said. “And also, it’s probably lifestyle changes.’ But it’s really what works.”

As an emergent dietitian prepar-

he hopes to see more colleagues use social media as an educational tool for all ages.

there who can combat some of the more harmful and toxic fad diet and nutrition recommendations is really there are not enough of them.”

the freshly plucked vegetables from the Helvenston’s College Park yard on fruit and vegetable garden. The couple has been at odds with the city over

Ohio State students address stigmas and barriers to accessing mental health care in campus’ Black community

By Kyrie Thomas Campus LTV Producer

Balancing class schedules, jobs, internships and social engagements can leave many college students facing mental distress as they progress through their academic careers.

For Samuela Osae, a third-year in molecular genetics and co-president of the Black Mental Health Coalition, said these traditional stressors — on top of the challenges that accompany being a minority student — led her to experience mental health struggles throughout her time at the university. During that time, she said she felt like she wasn’t receiving the support she needed.

“Looking for care and trying toed, not just a professional, was really hard,” Osae said. “I feel like it wouldn’t be as hard for someone who didn’t identify as the same things I identify [as].”

Though many of the struggles Osae -

ence of Black individuals feeling unseen or underrepresented within mental health care is not unique.

A July 2024 Health Policy Institute of Ohio study found that 10.7% of Black Ohioans “reported feeling mentally distressed for 14 or more days over the past month,” which is over 2% higher than the overall state rate of 8.2%.

In addition, the study found that 10.2% of Black Ohioans had faced “unmet mental health needs” in the last year, which is nearly 3% higher than the average state rate of 7.5%.

“We experience these issues to this extremity because of living in America,” said Micah Evans, a second-year in psychology and secretary for Black Students in Psychology and Neuroscience. “Being Black, you already have a target on your back.”

When Black individuals feel as though they are being seen for their -

sonality and other attributes second, Evans said it can create feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing within the wider community.

“This is the social notion surrounding Black people: ‘Y’all are evil. Y’all are beasts. Y’all are animals. Y’all aren’t human,’” Evans said. “This generational trauma just carries and carries because there was never a space or time when it was just, ‘You’re Black, and we love you.’”

Stigmas and stereotypes surrounding the Black community are factors that Osae said play a huge role in how Black people are treated when it comes to obtaining mental health services.

“There’s the common belief that Black people don’t experience more pain or have a higher pain tolerance,

Osae said. “It’s really hard to talk about these issues because you face the challenge of not trying to be seen as weak and having that resilient mindset.”

A lack of access to health care can also create a barrier for the Black community, with Evans citing socioeconomic obstacles like high insurance costs and systemic racism as contributing factors.

According to The Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Health Disparities Report, structural health care disparAmerican Indian and Alaska Native people. The website states these populations “live fewer years, on average, than white and Hispanic people and are more likely to die from treatable conditions, more likely to die during -

ous pregnancy-related complications, more likely to lose children in infancy, and are at higher risk for many chronic health conditions, from diabetes to hypertension.”

“Because of the racial gap, when it comes to money and resources, like insurance, it can be harder for Black communities and Black members in the communities to get those mental health resources,” Evans said.

Beyond these setbacks, when seeking professional or external resources to care for one’s mental health, Osae and Evans both said resistance can often come from within the Black community itself.

“A lot of the Black community is either Christian or Muslim, and having struggles and talking about them of the time,” Osae said.

Evans said very often, members of the community will urge those struggling with mental health issues to turn to religion for assistance as opposed to outside resources, which may not al-

“Say someone is having depression or extreme anxiety, some people are

like, ‘Let’s just pray about it,’” Evans said. “Religious members of the community will say, ‘God will help you,’

Upcoming health and wellness events at Ohio State

By Samantha Harden Arts & Life Editor

Every year, college students face numerous challenges, from passing

While grappling with these every-tize physical, mental and social health; however, it’s important to be conscious of one’s holistic well-being.

Here are a few events Ohio State is hosting dedicated to promoting healthy activities and behaviors throughout the rest of the semester. Click on the title of any event for more information.

March 28 — “Lunch & Learn: (Virtual)

According to Ohio State’s human resources webpage, this free webinar — scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Fri-tunity to learn more about how a balanced breakfast can set a positive tone for one’s entire day.

Sponsored by Buckeye Wellness, the event will feature discussions with representatives from the university’s which “collaborates with Buckeyes to enhance the culture of health and wellness at Ohio State,” according topage. Wexner Medical Center dietitian Stacy Cleveland will also be present, highlighting the impact of a nutritious breakfast on overall well-being. This event is open to all faculty, event, visit Ohio State’s human resources webpage.

According to Ohio State’s human resources webpage, Timothy McDermott, assistant professor of agriculture and natural resources, has worked alongside the Wexner Medical Center’s Healthy Community Center to host a series of community garden programs held on one Wednesday each month from March through September.

April 9 will mark the second installment of the seven-part series, allowing attendees to learn about spring vegetables and work on their own raised gardens from 6-8 p.m.

The classes are free and open to the public, but registration is required in advance, as there are a limited number of attendance slots due to the classroom’s size. For more information, including how to register, visit Ohio State’s human resources webpage.

(337 Annie and John Glenn Ave. and The Oval)

Scheduled for April 10 from 6-8 p.m. across Ohio State’s Columbus,

campuses, the annual “Out of the Darkness Campus Walk” gives Ohio State students a chance to come together as a community to acknowledge the dev-

illness have on the extended Buckeye community, according to Ohio State’s suicide prevention webpage.

The event is hosted as a collaboration between Ohio State’s Suicide Prevention Program and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

For Ohio State’s Columbus campus, the walk will begin in the Tom W. Davis Gym in the RPAC before participants walk to the Oval. For more in-

for other campuses, visit Ohio State’s suicide prevention webpage.

style Medicine For A Healthier (Virtual)

Ohio State students, faculty and lifestyle medicine and learn how simple changes can prevent, manage and even reverse chronic diseases during an April 15 session from noon to 12:30 p.m., according to Ohio State’s human resources webpage.

The webinar will cover key topics such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management and sleep, also offering tips and strategies to enhance well-being and foster a healthier living environment.

For more information about the event and how to register, visit Ohio State’s human resources webpage.

(Virtual)

April 16 from noon to 12:30 p.m., Ohio State will host a “Spring into Health” webinar to encourage stuhealthier lifestyle, according to the university’s CarmenZoom webpage.

According to the webpage, Megan Amaya, associate clinical professor and co-director of the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness program,gies to enhance physical and mental well-being.

This event is open to all faculty, event, visit Ohio State’s CarmenZoom webpage.

Health and Wellness Address in (Virtual)

Ohio State will host its annual “State of Health and Wellness Address in Buckeye Nation” from 1:30-3 p.m. April 29.

dress includes updates about wellness Buckeye Wellness’ programming efforts, the announcement of the Wellness Leadership Awards and remarks from university leadership.

Some of the event’s guest speakers will include Ryan Lovell, associate vice president for health and well-being inta, chief well-being leader at the Wexner Medical Center; and Andy ThomMedical Center. Amaya, who is leading the aforementioned “Spring Into Health” event, will also be a featured speaker.

For more information about the webinar, including the event schedule,

(1600 E. Long St.)

From social media to the studio: Ohio State’s Pilates trend rede nes tness at the RPAC

By Ameera Rasoul Web Editor

Pby storm, emerging as one of the hottest trends on social media.

State’s Recreation and Physical Activity Center have seen waves of students packing every Pilates class the RPACing demand, Krista Talstein, RPACcation manager, said the facility has instructors to accommodate larger class sizes.

“It is one of our best attended classes right now on a week-to-week [basis],” Talstein said. “We look at numbers every week in our program of how classes are performing, how people are not showing up, which ones are feeling extremely full, and Pilates as of right now.”

According to the RPAC website, students enrolled in at least four credit hours have access to the facility’s to 100 sessions being available each week. These include 12 Pilates classes and three “fusion Pilates” sessions, such as “Yoga Lotties” and “Cyclone Pilates.”

Personally, Talstein said she has social media — namely TikTok — she

said she has seen the recent surge of scene in just the past year.

increasingly more [in demand], especially in the last year and a half,” Talstein said. “There’s been a bigger trend with it in relation to social media.”

Talstein said social media is also driving a shift toward a cleaner, more -

strength and endurance without excessive strain.

“Pilates has become so popularnities to move their bodies and feel good, but also not necessarily feel extremely exhausted or taxed after their classes,” Talstein said.

Riley Frank, a third-year in mar-

structor at the RPAC, said she has also noticed a surge in the popularity of Pilates. She said class sizes at the RPAC range from 40 to 55 students, and whenever possible, the facility in larger spaces because maximum capacity is typically reached as soon as registration opens for the upcoming week.

“It’s really hard to get into the classes at any studio anywhere, in-

nitely seen that a lot. The class numbers have gone up. That’s why they also hired quite a few of us.”

hosts a Pilates class Tuesday evening. Members

her attention af ter seeing the “Pi lates girl” aesthetic all over her social media, which portrayed the exercise style as fun and feminine. But, she said, what has truly sustained the workout’s popularity is its low-impact, full-body approach, which allows anyone to feel comfortable participating.

“Especially at Ohio State, it can be intimidating to walk into a huge gym like the RPAC and not know what to do but still wanting a good exercise,” Frank said. “It makes me so happy providing that space for people to feel comfortable and not pressured while

In every class, Frank said she is inspired by the positive energy each person gives and hopes the Pilates trend sticks around for at least a cou-

ple more years.

“I feel like the aesthetic is what draws people in originally — that big Pilates, clean-girl vibe on social media,” Frank said. “Ultimately, what causes people to stay is how inclusive the workout is, allowing for a super positive class environment for people to stick around and come back.”

To learn more about the RPAC’s class schedule or how to sign up for a website.

COURTESY OF RILEY FRANK

COURTESY OF KRISTA

TALSTEIN

Participants during a group Pilates class held in the RPAC.