Many people will be very quick to warn an incoming freshman of the dreaded freshman 15. Naturally, I am concerned of the possible weight gain because I am a freshman and still getting used to dining commons and the easy access to fast food. However, now that I am here on campus I notice that I walk everywhere. I walk to class, to the store, and to any type of meeting for a club I want to be involved with. I believe all this walking has to be making some difference. Furthermore is it possible that the freshman 15 is a myth?
The term Freshman 15 originated on a popular young adult magazine called Seventeen Magazine in 1989 with an article titled “Fighting the Freshman 15.” It is not an actual scientific term at all and was only legitimized through pop culture. A study preformed at Ohio State University showed that less then 10% of the 7,418 first year students that participated actually gained fifteen or more pounds. The typical weight gain was estimated at about 5 pounds and a quarter of students actually lost weight. This can be credited to the easy access to campus gyms, increase in walking, and healthy options at dining halls. Unfortunately researchers did notice that throughout the whole of college students did tend to gain weight, but this cannot solely be attributed to college. College students were shown to be on average just ½ a pound heavier than their peers that chose not to attend college. Even though the freshman 15 is a widely known and feared concept it is clear that college attendance and weight gain have no direct causation. It is more then possible to avoid the freshman 15.
In a way the myth of the freshman 15 has caused an increase in unhealthy lifestyles. The term has equated any form of weight gain as negative and socially unacceptable. Research shows that two thirds of the study’s female college students were reportedly modera
tely concerns with their shape and weight. This focus on maintaining a low body weight leads to skipping meals and binge eating. When the facts show that college students tend to gain closer to 5 pounds, but the widely known myth warns against major weight gain, students ultimately lead more unhealthy lifestyles.
College students should want to pursue healthy choices as opposed to choices that promote better looks and image. Penn State is considered the 10th largest campus in the U.S. and with that comes hundreds of fast food options. However on the flip side since Penn State is so large it comes with a multitude of clubs, intermural sports, healthy food options, and walking paths. The freshman 15 is a myth and it’s truly possible to avoid any unnecessary weight gain at college.
I am glad you researched this concern because I am a freshman as well and cannot avoid hearing about the ominous freshman 15. I also considered the fact that we now walk everywhere which could easily balance out new eating habits. I have noticed, however,that I find it easier to access unhealthy food and eating healthy must be a very conscious decision. But is it possible that talk about the freshman 15 is actually leading to its demise? I think it could be possible that the concern over weight gain could cause people to go out of their way to avoid it.
It’s really cool that a simply article in a magazine sparked such a societal norm. It’s great to know that coming to college is going to make me fat. Here is an awesome page about the causes, and way to keep from the freshman 15!