Almost every incoming college student has heard of the “Freshman 15”, the 15 pounds supposedly gained in the first year of college because of poor food choices and lack of exercise. According to a new study by Auburn University in Alabama, the figure may be significantly less.
A pilot study of 36 freshman at Auburn measured changes in weight and body composition at the beginning of the school year, the end of the fall semester and the end of the spring semester, said Sareen Gropper, associate professor of nutrition at Auburn and the study’s author, and found that the median weight gain for the participants was about 4.8 pounds.
“It’s not the freshman 15; it’s more like the freshman 5,” Gropper said.
The average weight gain for females was 3.2 pounds, while the average weight gain for males was 5.4 pounds.
Gropper said she would conduct a larger study of 200 students to see if the findings were consistent.
Stacy Cintron, assistant director of campus recreation, said further study would have to be done to see if the findings of the original study are applicable.
“That’s a rather small sample to make a huge inference out of,” Cintron said.
Cintron said students can avoid extra weight gain not only by staying physically active and making wise food choices, but also by managing stress, including time managment and spiritual support. She said there were little ways for students to stay physically active, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, which burns an average of 35 calories.
“Be creative with how you bring physical activity into your life,” Cintron said.
Cintron said college was an important time to learn these activities.
“This is the time in students’ life to pick up healthy habits so that they can pass it on to future generations,” Cintron said.
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