by Cerija Oh

Created on: October 04, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

The Freshman 15: What is it?

It's the number of hours the average freshman sleeps per week. It's that midterm grade the new college student learns to hide from his parents. It's the number of Jello shots gulped down each weekend at the most outlandish college party. It's the number of hours the college freshman is registered to attend each week. It's the annual cost (in thousands) of education for the undeclared freshman attending the state university. Sure the Freshman 15 can have several meanings, but more commonly, it is a term given to the excess weight put on by college freshmen each year.

Do freshman college students gain weight when they go off to school? Well, the truth is some do and some don't. According to a research study done by Cornell University, the Freshman 15 is really 4 pounds. The Freshman 15 means anything but 15 pounds. Some freshmen gain no weight; meanwhile, others may gain more. And who is to say sophomores, juniors, and seniors don't gain weight as well?

So why does this happen? Well, there are many reasons for the weight gain, and they vary by situation. Lack of sleep, stress, and unhealthy eating habits are a few of the common reasons for weight gain in college freshman. Also, consider that there is a change in environment. Many freshmen live in the dormitory where food choices are limited to the local fast food joints and cafeteria food. So many freshmen come to college knowing very little about cooking or doing laundry or fending for themselves as they have never had to do it before. Of course, time is also a factor; between work, class, and extracurricular activities, freshman hardly find the time to eat a good healthy meal or get in a good workout. Because of these and other factors, it is logical that freshman college students will put on a little weight.

For those who survive the Freshman 15 and make it into their sophomore year, the chaos certainly does not calm down. The most important step to the Freshman 15 is knowing how to lose the weight and how to balance life. Many college student discover this on their own. And soon, the Freshman 15 will somehow work itself out.

Eating healthy, maintaining a healthy stress level, and getting on a regular workout plan can help college freshmen avoid the Freshman 15. This includes taking time for yourself and being careful of what items (both solids and liquids) you put into your body. If you are not careful, the Freshman 15 can be quite dangerous. However, the Freshman 15 only exists if you let it. So how about limiting the 3 am pizzas and the 48 hour booze-a-thon!

Remember, gaining a pound or two tends not to be as harmful as some people believe. Parents and students alike tend to worry about the freshman 15. Follow this advice and ease your mind. Have you heard of the Senior 60? Yeah, neither have I!

Learn more about this author, Cerija Oh.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.