The Lifestyle Change by Anissa

The Lifestyle Change by Anissa - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

In the fall, I will be attending college to major in dietetics. I chose this major because being overweight as a young child impacted my self-esteem, caused unnecessary bullying, and my well-being. From 4th grade to transitioning into middle school, being overweight was challenging. I didn’t want to go into middle school overweight and feeling defeated and unliked. I started working out and watching what I ate. That was my determination to feel good about myself and to stop others from bullying me. To do that, I had to commit to being disciplined and determined to make it happen. With much support from my family, I achieved that goal. The weight loss journey is what fuels my desire to study dietetics.

According to obesityaction.org, “In a recent national survey of overweight 6th graders, 24% of the boys and 30% of the girls experienced daily teasing, bullying or rejection because of their size.” Teaching healthy eating habits early can save a child the burden of being talked about. This can also inspire the entire family to make healthy choices. Being obese can cause other health conditions within the African American community; many suffer from heart conditions, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and this is due to food insecurity, which is limited access to healthy foods. Studying dietetics and partnering with the community will impact the greater good. Being informed of how and what to eat and simple exercises such as walking can impact your life.

Small steps and consistent work will pay off over time. Yes, you will have days that are not perfect; however, we don’t give up on the end goal of changing habits. Change is hard; it takes time. Having a support team to cheer you on and hold you accountable is critical. My mom was that support during my journey. When I was 16, I went to the doctor for a wellness visit; the doctor was so impressed with my progress from the previous visit that he asked how I lost the weight. I replied, being consistent and taking small steps. As the appointment wrapped up, he stated I can remove the label of being obese from your chart. A big smile and tears of joy came over my face because I did it. As a dietician, I want that same experience from every individual and for them to know that they can overcome obesity or any challenge that comes their way with patience, hard work, and consistency.