Weight gain during freshmen year of college or the “freshmen 15” is a common concern among students and although studies suggest that the weight gained during freshmen year is usually less than 15 pounds, students still express concern about this weight gain.
A new statistic from the Centers of Disease Control and prevention released last June states that 33.8 percent, about one in three college students are obese.
Researchers from Brown University Medical School say that weight gain among freshmen is more like 5 to 7 pounds and weight gain for sophomores is about 2 to 3 pounds. This same study also found that males gained more weight during this time then females.
Many students discover that their adjustment to college requires more time studying and less time exercising. Students who live on campus are also more likely to gain weight their first two years at college, especially if they live in a dorm with a dining hall.
“Often when students come to the university, they haven’t ever had to be in charge of what their food intake was, so they don’t have that skill, they don’t even know what foods they should eat,” said Judith Myhand, a Human Ecology instructor.
“I try to eat healthy. I try to have at least one meal a day, there are just so many options though, the temptations are there,” said Simone Guidry a freshman at LSU.
“There are lots of very healthy choices in the dining hall, it’s just a matter of careful choosing and planning,” said Vanessa Richard, registered dietitian at the Student Health Center.
The Student Health Center has a registered dietician on staff who is available to meet with students and help them to make healthy nutrition choices. Students can contact the Student Health Center and make an appointment free of charge.
 ”I see students everyday to help with avoiding the freshmen 15.  Students can come in, get a custom meal plan and if the student doesn’t know how to cook we will talk about basic cooking skills, grocery shopping skills, food preparation skills and the best choices on campus at the dining halls and convenience stores and how to do that with a college student’s time and a college student’s budget,” said Richard.
Weight gained in college can be harder to get rid of later on and can also lead to increased risk of health problems later on in life.
“Those pounds can be hard to take off, especially if it’s something that happens really gradually over time and we are not aware or noticing that so much, just kind of grow into it,” said Richard.
“It took a while for me to adjust my schedule, I am still trying to fit it in. I used to run everyday and I am still trying to fit that in my schedule with everything going on,” said Guidry.
“I see these vicious cycles of over eating when students come and then drastic efforts, going with out eating, to try to loose weight, but not really looking at what do I need to do for my health, more looking at what do I need to do to control my weight leading to increase risk of getting a virus and getting really sick from that and having to drop out of school,” said Myhand.
“It’s about making those lifestyle changes and making those changes before that convenience lifestyle gets set in stone and becomes just general habit,” said Richard.
 
 
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Tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Stay active Drink sugar free beverages avoid alcohol skip the dessert avoid meal skipping avoid eating while doing another activity read the label make food at home exercise at least 150 minutes a week
 
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