College all-nighters lead to unhealthy haunts

Smack dab on the front page of the September 25 Daybreak section of my local Gainesville Sun newspaper is the headline: "Late-night living: G'ville haunts for those too busy to sleep." There is no mention of trips to the library, though. Or jaunts to the 24-hour health and fitness center in town. Nothing about running on the university track, or swimming in the pools located just about everywhere, or midnight strolls across the 2,000-acre campus. Nope. Instead, this welcome-back-to-college story lists 24-hour restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and emergency rooms -- which might be in order considering the featured eating establishments.

IHOP made the list. Who doesn't love pancakes, butter, and syrup at 4:00 AM? And Steak 'n Shake. Steak burgers, fries, and shakes in the middle of the night. Uugh. There's the Waffle House -- I feel the lump in my stomach already -- and don't forget Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and their original glazed bundle of dough. Ouch.

Who made this list? Have they no consideration for the health of the youngsters flocking to the University of Florida for a little education. What are we teaching these kids? Stay up all night, load up on junk food, and then sit on your butts as the pounds pack on?

What a bummer article. I much prefer this one.