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College freshmen can hold the guilt next time they order a late-night pizza.
Despite repeated warnings about packing on the dreaded “freshman 15” and rising obesity rates in the United States, a study finds that most college students do not gain 15 pounds in their first year.
"The 'freshman 15' is a myth," said Ohio State research scientist Jay Zagorsky, co-author of the study that is believed to be the first nationwide look at the purported phenomenon. "There is no 'freshman 15.'"
His research, to be published in the December issue of the journal Social Science Quarterly, found that the average student gains between 2.4 and 3.5 pounds freshman year. For women, the average weight gain was 3.1 pounds; for men it was 3.5 pounds.
“There are lots of things to worry about in college, but if you’re the average person, gaining weight is not one of them,” Zagorsky said.
Away from home for the first time, there are many reasons to fear that college students will pack on pounds, Zagorsky said. They may have access to all-you-can-eat cafeterias and high-calorie alcoholic drinks. They might not be exercising because gym class isn’t required and they may be drinking sugary caffeinated drinks if they’re tired. They may stress-eat or turn to cheap fast food if they’re on a tight budget.
its the same story as with any other big life change…some gain weight, some lose weight…some become pot heads and can’t stop munching, and some join sororities and feel pressured to look like models…who cares?
lost weight so far in my freshmen year hahah
I lost weight during my first 2 years of college. I thought it was fun to have easy access to a gym, so I took up tennis lessons and spinning classes.
It’s a generalization, but I agree with you. Usually it’s substances along with food. You fill your stomach with beer and late night foods – then the next day you’re hungry all day so you keep eating.
In my experience, it is not a myth. My roommate freshman year gained 18 lbs btwn Aug and Thanksgiving. Her mom didn’t recognize her when she walked off the plane. Too much pot, beer and late night pizza.
It really depends on where you go to school. I went to a college in a relatively small town with only one fast food restaurant in close proximity. Most students don’t have cars and walk to class. Most kids who come from suburban neighborhoods don’t walk nearly as much as someone in college. There’s also more time to work out in college than back in high school (at least for the majority of people who didn’t do sports in high school)
I lost about 10 pounds my freshmen year. Even though I had a car I was still walking nearly everywhere and after awhile you learned the best-tasing places to eat on campus had the freshest (red: healthiest) food.
I actually lost 15 pounds my freshman year. My college campus was quite large, and having to walk several miles a day just to get from class to class did great things for my legs. I did have friends that gained weight, thanks to their parent’s deep pockets & their all too frequent fast food / takeout binges.
I think it all depends on your particular campus, your propensity to spend on fast food, and your personal eating habits.
I lost 24 pounds my freshman year of college (but put some back on later after find a healthy diet and workout scheme to build muscle mass).
It’s all in what you eat and drink, and if you have exercise to combat those two things with! It’s not hard to be healthy.
I never gained the freshman 15. I was afraid of it because I was surrounded by junk food, but I was smart enough to eat wisely. I think the only people who gain it are the ones who do not exercise and eat whatever they want without taking calories into consideration. It’s actually easy to avoid gaining a lot of weight. Just be somewhat health conscious.