Before entering college, many students hear horror stories about a health condition inflicted by eating at cafeterias and drinking on the weekends: the “Freshman 15.”
Yet two recent studies that monitored the weight of nearly 1,300 college freshmen and sophomores might debunk this dreaded bit of college folklore.
While students do pack on pounds during their first year away from home, 15 pounds is an overstatement, say Brown University researchers who presented their findings to the Obesity Society in Boston last month.
Oregon health experts say a student’s ever-changing schedule and irregular eating patterns contribute to excess poundage, while University freshmen say they understand how someone living in the residence halls could experience weight gain, although they have not seen dramatic differences in their physiques.
The first study, led by Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson and her colleagues, revealed that males gained nearly six pounds and females gained nearly four pounds by the end of their freshman year – almost entirely during the first semester – at a private Northeast college.
One in six monitored freshmen weighed 10 pounds more at the end of the school year, according to the study. Students also piled on two to three additional pounds during their sophomore years.
“You have to be really conscientious,” said Mary Cluskey, Oregon State University associate professor of nutrition and food management.
“Eating is more of a challenge than exercise.”
Students who enter college often are unprepared to cook for themselves and resort to scarfing down snack food, Cluskey said.
University freshman Sabrina Sultzer said she thinks about 90 percent of food choices in the residence halls are unhealthy.
“It’s hard to choose foods that are good for you,” said Sultzer, who was unsure if weight gain has affected her yet. “It’s never hard to pick an unhealthy choice.”
Freshmen have to make the same food choices as everyone else, but some may be making these choices for the first time and learning as they go, said Tom Driscoll, director of Food Services.
“We offer a balanced menu through eight separate dining locations that provide a wide variety of choices for students that includes many healthy choices,” Driscoll said, listing salads, fruits, sushi and vegetarian options. “On the other hand, they can also choose pizza and French fries.”
College students need to think about what foods they eat and watch their portion sizes, said University health educator Annie Dochnahl.
“People don’t understand serving sizes,” Dochnahl said.
When subconsciously snacking on chips, students sometimes do not accurately assess just how much food is going in their mouths, she added.
Late-night eating and binge eating when starving also can lead to weight gain, Cluskey said.
“I don’t think it’s just a freshman-year phenomenon,” Cluskey said. “There’s no regularity to your diet.”
Freshmen may also overeat to compensate for difficult adjusting to college life, Dochnahl said.
The University offers students opportunities to regulate their health.
“We don’t have to gain weight when we come to college,” Dochnahl said. “They’re not doomed if they live in the residence halls.”
University freshman Dillon King said it’s easy to eat healthily in the residence halls.
“Mainly with cafeterias, there’s always healthy choices, but people tend to not choose them,” said King, who often eats salads.
University freshman Kiyomi Shimada said she has lost 13 pounds since the beginning of fall term by taking a fitness class and working out at the Student Recreation Center. Her fresh food options, which have “a lot to do with convenience,” include salads and fruit, she said.
Students who want to counter college weight gain should take stairs rather than elevators, park farther from school when driving and consider enrolling in an exercise class, Dochnahl advised.
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weight-gain study
What: Brown University researchers monitored college freshmen and sophomores in two separate studies about weight gain during college.
Results: Males gained nearly six pounds and females gained nearly four pounds by the end of their freshman year, gaining most of it during the first semester.
– One in six freshman weighed 10 pounds more at the end of the school year.
– Students also piled on two to three additional pounds sophomore year.
Keep the pounds off: Oregon health experts say students’ ever-changing schedules, irregular eating patterns and lack of portion-size knowledge contribute to weight gain. Eating balanced meals and exercising are important for healthy lifestyles, experts say.