This fall, West Valley College will offer a weight loss class for students that will combine physical exercise with academic knowledge of the obesity problem.

Physical education instructor Heidi Davis said no other community college in the area offers such a course.

"The class is open to any student who wants to lose weight," Davis said. "I'm trying to target the heavier students."

Davis, who is also researching obesity prevention and treatment, said that the fitness class would aim to educate students about nutrition, diets and health.

"Physical exercise is also a part of the class," she said.

"The class specifically meets a need. There is a growing population in our culture that suffers from the obesity problem," said Carol Knight, division chairwoman of the physical education department at West Valley College.

Knight said that everyone in the department is excited about the class.

"Davis is an extremely motivating teacher. I think the students will be very pleased with the quality and enthusiasm of the instructor," Knight said. Davis has taught at the college for close to six years.

Davis said that those taking the class will increase their knowledge on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"We also offer classes on aerobics, aqua jogging and pilates," Davis said. "I will instruct the students on how to make better choices."

She added that some of the popular diet programs eliminate one or another food group all together. "That is not healthy at all," she said.

Theresa Lee, a student who has signed up for the course, said that the weight loss class is perfect for her.

"I can use instruction on nutrition and balanced meals along with exercise and losing weight," Lee said.

She said that she had also taken cardio-kickboxing and other fitness classes at the college. "I took another class called fitness appraisal, which assessed the state of my physical condition such as strengths, weaknesses and body fat," she said.

Lee said that she found Davis to be an excellent teacher who is full of energy.

For more information, contact Heidi Davis at 408.741.2522 or email her at heidi_davis@westvalley.edu.