Freshman 15 Is More Like Freshman 8 Or Even Less

The expression 'Freshman 15', which describes how how many pounds a university student gains in weight during his/her first year away from home, is a bit of an exaggeration, said researchers from Brown University Medical School, USA, at the Obesity Society's annual meeting, Boston.

After studying data on 382 students from Brown University and 907 students from Purdue University, it was found the weight gain is nearer 7.8 pounds, according to an article in USA Today. Most of the weight seems to pile on during the first term, say the researchers.

First year male students gained, on average, 5.6 pounds, while females gained 3.6 pounds. At the end of the sophomore year males had gained 9.5 pounds and females 9.2 pounds.

Even though the gain is not as high as previously thought, health professionals have observed that many fail to lose the weight they had gained later on.

Why do freshmen gain weight?

There are a number of reasons. Away from home, the student can suddenly do what/he likes, eat when he/she likes and select anything he/she wants. The list below may include some factors that contribute towards weight gain:

-- There are plenty of extra eating opportunities in the dining halls
-- Students may skip meals in their daily rush and overeat later on in the day
-- Nibbling while studying (snacking)
-- Too many late nights
-- Eating more 'order-in' foods
-- Vending machines can be convenient when hunger hits, but they may be laden with snacks that make you put on weight
-- Students may be less physically active
-- Most students drink more alcohol (than when they were at home)

(The terms below are used in North America. Even though they originate from England, they are not commonly used there today.
A freshman = A first-year student at high school, college or university
A sophomore = A second-year student
A junior = A penultimate-year student
A senior = A last year student
An underclassman = Can mean freshmen and sophomores collectively
A middler = A third year student if his/her course is five years long)

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Obesity Society Annual Meeting
Brown University Medical School

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