The words "freshman 15" have long caused trepidation in the minds of incoming college freshmen. Students have accepted that leaving home and beginning new patterns of eating and sleeping associated with a college lifestyle may inevitably lead to a few extra pounds.
"I think 'the freshman 15' is just a fact of college," sophomore Dana Peterson said.
Yet new research shows that "the freshman 15" may be a misnomer. A study of 67 undergraduates at Rutgers University concluded that only three-quarters of students put on weight during their freshman year. Among those who gained weight, the average increase was seven pounds, with an extra daily intake of 112 calories.
Further research at several college campuses seems to confirm these findings. According to PhD student M. Lise Hildebrandt at Tufts' Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, the average weight gain for freshman is somewhere between an 8.8-pound gain over a 12-month year and a 1.5-pound loss over a nine month school year.
"All the studies together suggest that students are not gaining an average of 15 pounds, but an average of maybe three to five pounds," Hildebrandt said. "That means some are losing, some are staying the same, some are gaining, and some are gaining 15 or more, but altogether there may be a net gain of a few pounds."
According to Hildebrandt, the majority of students have shown a gain of only one to five pounds over the first two semesters. Even this gain, however, may not be lasting and could be attributed to weekly weight fluctuations.
Though the study's findings may not be fully comprehensive due to self-selection by weight-conscious study participants, but the study does indicate that concerns about "the freshman 15" may be a product of a society increasingly focused on body image and thinness, rather than an accurate interpretation of real weight gain.
While fears of gaining "the freshman 15" may be unwarranted, the term brings to mind a collection of new adjustments for college freshmen, many of which may contribute to a new focus on weight gain and fitness.
Hildebrandt said that the findings of the research do not indicate "that overweight isn't a problem for this age group, or that there isn't a 'freshman gain,' but the fear is probably bigger than the problem, in terms of pounds per person gain."
"Certainly being away from home and being in an environment where food and snacks are available at all times may add to the likelihood of gaining, and also dealing with the stresses of being more independent may contribute," Hildebrandt said.
According to Tufts students, hall snacks, excess drinking at parties, late-night Domino's Pizza orders and the dessert bars at Dewick and Carmichael dining halls all create obstacles to staying healthy in a college environment.
"Students aren't on sports teams any more for the most part, and there is no one there to say no to pizza," senior Maggie Lovett said. "And they get drunk and order food because it's a social thing to do. It all adds up."
Certain habits of Tufts freshmen have created additional setbacks. "The guys put on weight freshmen year from the beer," Peterson said. "The unhealthy habits I observed in some people also included, besides the alcohol calories, lots of pizza and drunken munchies."
Students also indicate that making changes to Tufts Dining Services could help achieve healthier lifestyles.
"A salad bar in Hodgdon would be a key factor in avoiding 'the freshman 15,' since we can't use the Campus Center on points until sophomore year," Peterson said.
"Freshman are introduced to a meal plan that is all you can eat - that definitely adds to the weight gain," Lovett added.
But if substantial weight gain is more a perception than a reality, is it possible that the hype has served as a protective factor against weight gain among Tufts' first-years?
"Most of my friends freshmen year - the girls, at least - were very aware of 'the freshman 15' and therefore fought really hard - and successfully- to keep it off," Peterson said.
Long lines for the machines at Cousens Gymnasium - particularly before weekends when students know they may be increasing their calorie intake at parties - indicate that many Tufts undergrads may have made keeping fit a central component of their lifestyle.
Peterson's experiences, however, also show that weight gain and lifestyle choices must be explored on an individual level, given that the supposed trends in weight gain may not exist. "Going to the gym was an everyday activity for me during freshman year," said Peterson. "Sophomore year has changed it, and I put on a sophomore 15, if you will."
