According to a study by the American College of Health, the “freshman 15” is more fallacy than reality.
The “freshman 15” is a myth saying college freshman will gain 15 pounds after their first year, the study said. According to the results, there is no correlation between going to college and gaining weight.
In its investigation, the American College of Health had 49 freshmen fill out questionnaires and then had their weight and body fat measured at the beginning and end of the semester.
“Whereas 59 percent of the [students] did gain weight, the average amount they gained was only 4.6 pounds, and 36 percent of the [students] actually lost weight during their first year of college. In addition, body fat did not change during that year,” the report read.
The report also indicated those students most worried about gaining weight were also the most likely to gain weight and overeat.
However, University of Wisconsin professors caution students about nutritional choices upon coming to college to avoid, among other things, weight gain.
“I think whether it is 15 pounds is doubtful,” said Susan Nitzke, a UW professor of nutritional sciences. “It certainly varies from person to person, and some people lose weight when they go off to college.”
Nitzke said the weight gain could be attributed to the new freedoms granted to many college freshmen when they go off to college.
“For some, it is being in an environment where the meal plan is less structured than what it was at home–nibbling and grazing throughout the day whether they are hungry or not and getting away from a pattern that was more reliable while providing enough calories without going overboard,” Nitzke said.
“Some freshmen are also less active than they were in high school. Maybe they were on more sports teams or had more active leisure activities,” he added.
Dale Schoeller, a UW professor of nutritional sciences, said gaining weight in college is nothing unusual. He noted that the entire United States is gaining weight.
“The U.S. as a total across all economic strata just isn’t maintaining body weight,” Schoeller said. “They’re slowly gaining weight.”
UW sophomore Kevin Krause said the “freshman 15” and Wisconsin are two interrelating factors.
“It’s more like the freshman fifty,” Krause said. “It’s something about the dairy state and most of the girls eat ice cream.”
While the actuality of the “freshman 15” myth can be debated, the methods for avoiding weight gain are not.
According to a paper by registered dietician Elizabeth Somers, freshmen can avoid weight gain by drawing a food plan, keeping a record of meals and weight, staying active and choosing foods wisely.
Wise foods include those that are low-fat and high in fiber. Other tips include loading your plate with vegetable, fruits, whole grains, beans and extra-lean meat.
While experts stress the importance of these foods in a diet, it is recommended that these, like all foods, be eaten in a conservative amount. Any food eaten in excess will contribute to weight gain.
“Look at both your diet and your exercise and see if you have the opportunity to have at least a few walks during the day in case you don’t have time to go to the gym,” Nitzke said.
“Try to make sure you get two real meals [a day] with vegetables and bread and a main dish rather than snacking on calorie items that tend to build up. Don’t forget your beverages. Beer and soda also add to the calories.”
