Freshman 15: A myth?

Each year, thousands of students are faced with the fears that accompany becoming a college freshman. One of these fears revolves around gaining the "freshman 15."

Gaining weight during the first year of college is common, but the idea of the "freshman 15" has been blown out of proportion, according to Joan Thompson, University of Northern Iowa health aide coordinator.

"This weight gain is more like five pounds rather than 15," Thompson said. "It is a dangerous myth because then students either overeat to fulfill that standard, or they become so fearful of the term that they could start having unhealthy habits, leading to weight gain rather than weight loss."

Most students come to college already knowing about the freshman 15, but not everyone gains weight in college.

According to the article, "Freshman Fifteen: Mindful Eating 101" by Susan Albers, women who gain weight in college experience a five-pound increase, while men experience about a seven-pound increase.

Accoring to Thompson, if students do gain weight, they shouldn't go into panic mode. She offered these healthy tips for students:

•Listen to your body -- Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full.

•Balance -- Honor physical needs with nutritious food, and eat what sounds good sometimes.

•Variety -- Eat a variety of foods (the new food guide pyramid provides an accurate guide for the variety and balance of food groups).

•Moderation -- Watch portion sizes, and again, listen to your body! One size does not fit all (a football player needs different food proportions than a less active person).

•Drink plenty of water -- Minimize pop and alcohol intake.

•Keep some food in your backpack -- Fruit, nuts, trail mix and other small snacks on-the-go can help lower how much you eat in the dining hall.

•Exercise regularly -- Find what exercises are fun for you. A variety of physical activities exist on campus.

The freshman 15 may be more of a potential hazard than a given. Weight gain is different for everyone, and ignoring the freshman 15 is most likely going to benefit you and minimize stress. Listen to your body, and create a comfortable balance of exercise and food consumption.

If you have further questions or would like assistance concerning this topic, call Joan Thompson at 319-273-2137 or e-mail her at joan.thompson@uni.edu.