'Freshman 15' Theory Takes a Pounding
From Forbes:
SUNDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Looks like the infamous "Freshman 15" is more realistically the "Freshman 5."
A new study of 36 freshmen at Auburn University in Alabama found an average gain of 1.9 pounds during the first semester of the first year at college and an average gain of 4.8 pounds for the entire year. Men gained an average of 5.4 pounds, and women gained an average of 3.2 pounds.
Alabama has the third-highest rate of adult obesity in the country (29.4 percent) and the 11th-highest rate of overweight youth (16.7), according to the latest report from Trust for America's Health.
Although the students surveyed gained (or even lost) a wide variety of poundage, some of the kids who got heavier actually switched from a normal, healthy body-mass index (BMI) into the overweight category, said study author Sareen Gropper, graduate program director in the department of nutrition and food science at Auburn University, while others "graduated" from overweight to obese.
"For some, there needs to be intervention," Gropper stressed.
"It's a cautionary tale. It was such a small study, but it does open up the notion that post-adolescence kids, when they're left to their own devices, do gain weight," said Arlene Spark, director of nutrition at Hunter College in New York City.
Despite the legend surrounding the Freshman 15, there is surprisingly little scientific data on the phenomenon, stated the authors, who were expected to present their findings Sunday at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting in San Diego. The presentation is part of the scientific program of the American Society for Nutrition.
Previous research found that college freshman had an average weight increase of 2.7 pounds over the year, with men reporting an average gain of 3.7 pounds and women reporting an average gain of 1.7 pounds. In that study, only 5 percent of participants reported gaining 15 pounds.
Some previous research had indicated that 15 pounds may have grossly overstated the weight gained during freshman year.
In this study, about three-quarters of the 26 females and 10 males gained weight during their first year of college, ranging from a loss of 5.8 pounds to an increase of 13 pounds. Twenty-one percent gained five pounds or more.
The mean initial weight of females was 124.9 pounds, which increased to 126.9 pounds after the first semester; mean BMI rose from 21 to 21.4.
Why the overall gain?
Gropper and her colleagues are in the process of investigating the reasons in a larger sample of students but have some ideas.
"We're speculating it's a variety of factors," she said. "For some kids, it's decreases in physical activity, and it may have to do with all-you-can-eat dining halls. Some kids say 'I can go there six times a day and eat for free.' A lot of kids are also eating out tremendously and eating junk food after 10 [p.m.]."
"When you put someone on a cafeteria diet, three times a day, seven days a week, it's like being on a cruise. You have unlimited food, and it's very difficult to moderate," Spark added. "When we give rats Purina rat chow, which is very boring, they eat as much as they need, and they stop. But if you give the same rats frosted flakes and fatty foods, stuff that's really tasty, they get very heavy just like we do. We do have an animal model for this. It's worth reminding people that all-you-can-eat is very challenging for us, and sometimes, it's regarded as an obesogenic environment."
And answers to the questionnaire participants were asked to fill out also shed some light on the subject. When told what one serving equaled in baked goods, snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, some of the students responded, "Oh, my gosh!"
"They have this realization," Gropper said.
SUNDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- Looks like the infamous "Freshman 15" is more realistically the "Freshman 5."
A new study of 36 freshmen at Auburn University in Alabama found an average gain of 1.9 pounds during the first semester of the first year at college and an average gain of 4.8 pounds for the entire year. Men gained an average of 5.4 pounds, and women gained an average of 3.2 pounds.
Alabama has the third-highest rate of adult obesity in the country (29.4 percent) and the 11th-highest rate of overweight youth (16.7), according to the latest report from Trust for America's Health.
Although the students surveyed gained (or even lost) a wide variety of poundage, some of the kids who got heavier actually switched from a normal, healthy body-mass index (BMI) into the overweight category, said study author Sareen Gropper, graduate program director in the department of nutrition and food science at Auburn University, while others "graduated" from overweight to obese.
"For some, there needs to be intervention," Gropper stressed.
"It's a cautionary tale. It was such a small study, but it does open up the notion that post-adolescence kids, when they're left to their own devices, do gain weight," said Arlene Spark, director of nutrition at Hunter College in New York City.
Despite the legend surrounding the Freshman 15, there is surprisingly little scientific data on the phenomenon, stated the authors, who were expected to present their findings Sunday at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting in San Diego. The presentation is part of the scientific program of the American Society for Nutrition.
Previous research found that college freshman had an average weight increase of 2.7 pounds over the year, with men reporting an average gain of 3.7 pounds and women reporting an average gain of 1.7 pounds. In that study, only 5 percent of participants reported gaining 15 pounds.
Some previous research had indicated that 15 pounds may have grossly overstated the weight gained during freshman year.
In this study, about three-quarters of the 26 females and 10 males gained weight during their first year of college, ranging from a loss of 5.8 pounds to an increase of 13 pounds. Twenty-one percent gained five pounds or more.
The mean initial weight of females was 124.9 pounds, which increased to 126.9 pounds after the first semester; mean BMI rose from 21 to 21.4.
Why the overall gain?
Gropper and her colleagues are in the process of investigating the reasons in a larger sample of students but have some ideas.
"We're speculating it's a variety of factors," she said. "For some kids, it's decreases in physical activity, and it may have to do with all-you-can-eat dining halls. Some kids say 'I can go there six times a day and eat for free.' A lot of kids are also eating out tremendously and eating junk food after 10 [p.m.]."
"When you put someone on a cafeteria diet, three times a day, seven days a week, it's like being on a cruise. You have unlimited food, and it's very difficult to moderate," Spark added. "When we give rats Purina rat chow, which is very boring, they eat as much as they need, and they stop. But if you give the same rats frosted flakes and fatty foods, stuff that's really tasty, they get very heavy just like we do. We do have an animal model for this. It's worth reminding people that all-you-can-eat is very challenging for us, and sometimes, it's regarded as an obesogenic environment."
And answers to the questionnaire participants were asked to fill out also shed some light on the subject. When told what one serving equaled in baked goods, snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, some of the students responded, "Oh, my gosh!"
"They have this realization," Gropper said.
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Comment by Batoul on April 6, 2008 at 5:57pm -
Interesting. Being in college I've always wondered about this, and how true it was. I've seen many varying results regarding weight gain in freshman year. A main problem I think is that basically every meal you are eating out. Although many don't consider diner food as eating out, based on the fat and calorie count that seems to be present in the food, its just as bad as going to applebees and ordering a burger with fries. Also, at least for the first semester in college, it is easiest just to grab something and go, which is generally fries and chicken tenders. Additionally, because of the odd hours the diner has, many times students are forced to eat out, because they have no other option. I only have some fruit and granola bars in my room which clearly isn't a meal, and many times I just happen to be busy and can't find time to eat when the diner is open. However, I think that after a short while, students begin looking for healthier options, I know I did.
Obviously another big factor in weight gain is a severe increase in drinking habits. People who possibly never drank alcohol in high school, are suddenly overwhelmed, and begin to consume hundreds of extra calories each night they go out partying. Many times which results in a want for "munchies" which only means the hundreds of calories will turn to thousands.
However, when it comes to physical activity, I think college kids get more. In high school, I didn't really get much exercise, but in college I live right next to a free gym. Many people who never used to go to the gym now have easy access to it. I have actually been getting much more exercise than I used to.
Well, thats my little insight...
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Comment by David on April 7, 2008 at 7:52pm -
@ Batoul
I have to agree with all your points. And then some.
- The commissary's foods may not have always been cooked or contain the best nutritional food groups; although when buying a meal there, it seems that they do
- The odd hours of the Uni's diner might make eating healthy difficult especially those with heavy study loads
- Many students are on a very tight budget--so they will grab the cheapest and probably the least nutritional food/s
- On that, some just can't afford it, and will eat very fatty food/s to make ends meet
- Drinking on college is a huge problem. I remember a few people who were, even when I was young, raging alcoholics. Bad for health, bad for their future, certainly not good for maintaining the proper weight. I was friends with a guy in one of my classes and he was in a Frat--he told me story's of how they would start drinking in the morning, and would make themselves puke to keep drinking @ nite, to fit in
- Not all college students live on campus or in dorms, so they have to find other ways to eat healthy. And that takes work. Some are not used to, or don't have access to, a kitchen. That leads to the purchase of unhealthy types of foods
- Another great point you made--the hectic schedule of college life is lost on some. One will eat whatever they can get their hands on, and that may, yet once again, not be the most healthy or nutritious food
- Kudos to you for trying to exercise more while in college and trying to eat better--that's a conscious decision to improve your life at a young age
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