Health prevailed over vanity and profits Monday when the Food and Drug Administration pulled the popular diet pill fen-phen off the market.

The drug fenfluramine, the "fen" in fen-phen, is the drug that has been connected to the development of heart valve problems in many consumers of the diet potion.

"Phen" is the drug phentermine and has no connection to the heart valve problems. The FDA banned the sale of only fenfluramine, thereby ending the fen-phen partnership.

The Student Health Services at Cal State Long Beach has never prescribed the drug duo that was known to suppress appetites and increase metabolism.

The CSULB health center's mantra has always been preventative medicine, according to Mary Byron health educator at the center.

Diet pills, liposuction and stomach stapling have all produced various results for people on the diet quest.

Byron said that in the long run nothing works better for most people than simple behavioral changes, such as proper eating habits and regular exercise.

The Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services and the Women's Resource Center all provide support for people with weight concerns.

"We're here to help students improve their health and help them maintain their healthy choices," Byron said.

Byron stated that last year about 25 appointments were booked monthly for students with weight issues.

Diet pills were not an option at the center for students who desired to lose weight.

In keeping with its preventative and healthy lifestyle stance, the center offers instead a nutritional management program.

Fifteen Family and Consumer Science interns on staff are on hand to counsel students interested in weight control through nutritional education.

The services begin Oct. 6 and students can sign up for the program by appointment in Waiting Room 1 of Health Services.

According to Byron weight problems often have to do with self-image, and if one has a poor outlook it can lead to a variety of problems, including eating disorders.

To help women understand issues in their life that lead to problems with food, Counseling and Psychological Services offers a workshop called, "Body Image: Improving Eating Behaviors."

The group discusses problems ranging from over or under-eating to excessive exercising.

Carrie Jo Johnson, psychologist at Psychological Services, stated that diet pills are not the answer.

"The only sure way to be healthy is to learn healthy eating behaviors," Johnson said.

Psychological Services is currently looking for eight women to be counselors in the eating disorders program.

The volunteers are expected to commit to weekly meetings throughout the semester. Those who are interested can call 985-4001.

The Women's Resource Center offers a support group for students who are fighting food battles.

The group meets every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. The group's emphasis is maintaining healthy eating habits.