Flip-flops are the footwear of choice for many students, but while they may be inexpensive and stylish, they don't cushion or support the foot and can result in the groans of foot pain. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons reminds parents and students that foot pain isn't normal and can be reduced or eliminated. To locate an ACFAS foot and ankle surgeon, visit the Web site FootPhysicians.com.

"People may not realize that even into your mid-teens, there's new bone growing in your heel," says Michael Cosenza, a foot and ankle surgeon in Ukiah, Calif. "Flip-flops don't cushion the heel, so repetitive stress from walking can inflame that heel bone growth area and cause pain and tenderness."

The most common complaints from flip-flop wearers are heel pain and arch pain. Other flip-flop foot problems include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, painful pinched nerves, sprained ankles, broken or sprained toes, cuts and scrapes, plantar warts, athlete's foot and callus build-up on the heels and toes.

Foot and ankle surgeons can usually reduce or eliminate students' foot pain with simple treatment methods including:

-- Stretching exercises.

-- Ice massage.

-- Anti-inflammatory medications.

-- Custom or over-the-counter shoe inserts.

Fighting the freshman 15

The freshman 15 refers to the pounds college students in a new school inevitably gain. It is not a myth, according to Virginia Tech administrative dietitian Jenny Lindsey. It has been shown that students tend to gain weight, but exactly how many students gain how many pounds is still under dispute.

"The weight gain generally occurs for freshmen because it's the first time that students have had to make all of their food decisions on their own," says Lindsey. "With their newfound freedom, confronted with a multitude of appealing items, they find it difficult to practice moderation."

Changes in behavior can also affect weight -- with alcohol consumption playing a major role, as well as stress, which many people deal with by eating, according to Lindsey. In addition, activities get changed and those no longer involved in sports are burning fewer calories.

Lindsey advises students to pick wisely -- fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy items. She also advises students to:

-- Make sure that meals are varied and contain items different from previous meals.

-- Learn proper portion sizes. Take a few things at a time and if still hungry, then go back for seconds.

-- Keep healthy snacks on hand such as pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, granola bars and raisins.

-- Don't forget to exercise. It keeps stress levels down, promotes better sleep, and improves health.

Defeating depression

The number of college students suffering from depression has been rising -- it was at 15 percent last year, up from 10 percent in 2000. A number of colleges are responding by instituting a depression screening program.

"This is to ensure that students with depression do not slip through the cracks but rather are identified and treated as soon as symptoms arise," explains Patricia Ellis, director of health and counseling services at St. Lawrence College in Canton, N.Y. The other participants are Cornell University, Princeton University, Hunter College, Baruch College, Case Western Reserve University and Northeastern University.

Using a nine-item Patient History Questionnaire, or PHQ-9, which takes students only a few minutes to fill out -- often while they wait to be treated for a minor ailment at the health center -- Ellis expects to screen more than eight out of 10 St. Lawrence students by the year's end.

"We had a student recently come in complaining of a cold," Ellis says. "She took the PHQ-9 and scored an 18. We immediately began counseling on a weekly basis. The student is now doing well academically and feeling much better. I have no doubt that our early screening and treatment avoided negative consequences."

The negative consequences of depression, she says, typically include:

-- Poor grades.

-- Flunking out of school.

-- In serious cases, doing harm to oneself or others. Suicide is also rising steadily in adolescents.

Lightening the load

Today's student carries a heavy load -- usually in a backpack. Healthcare professionals are concerned these backpacks may play a role in the development of serious conditions, such as chronic back pain and functional scoliosis.

"The old adage, 'As the twig is bent, so grows the tree,' comes to mind," says Kevin Slates, of Indiana University.

More than 55 percent of the college-age respondents reported experiencing pain from carrying their backpacks, with a higher percentage of women -- 67 percent -- reporting such pain, according to Slates. Graduate students had the heaviest packs, weighing in at 12 pounds, 2 ounces on average.

Slates suggests keeping backpack weight as close to the body as possible with waist and chest straps and minimizing problems by distributing the weight evenly across the body. He also advises schools supply temporary lockers so all books for all classes need not be carried all day.

Slates advises:

-- Keeping backpack weight below 15 percent to 20 percent of total body weight.

-- Wearing backpack straps over both shoulders for an evenly balanced load.

(e-mail: consumerhealth@upi.com)