The "Freshmen 15" is a term that has been around since bright-eyed young high school graduates first started going to college and returning, well, 15 pounds doughier. Gaining weight during the first years of college seems inescapable as even the leanest and trimmest of students find themselves putting on a few extra pounds here and there. In fact, a whopping 70 percent of students gained a "significant amount" of weight during their freshmen and sophomore years, according to a study conducted by Washington University in St. Louis. This means that out of every 100 students who enter college for the first time, 70 will gain at least ten pounds in their first two years at school.
There are various reasons behind the apparently inescapable weight gain. The biggest factor, however, is the dramatic change in diet that first-time college students go through. Many young students are accustomed to having food prepared or brought home for them by others. At the very least, few high school students have had to buy their own groceries and prepare their own meals. This means that when they go to college, they are away from home for the first time and are unfamiliar with how to eat healthy regularly. In addition, most undergraduate dormitories, where most freshmen and sophomores live, do not have kitchens to allow students to prepare their own meals, nor refrigerators large enough to hold ample amounts of fresh produce. Instead, undergraduates are expected to use the dining halls regularly, where the fare ranges from humble salad bars to the ever-present hot dogs and pizza. The absence of more appetizing and exciting healthy fare can also be blamed for college weight gain. After all, most students would pick up a slice of pepperoni pizza in a heartbeat if the only healthy alternative was little more than a bowl of greens.
Snacking on cheap eats is also a culprit of college weight gain. Many college students are strapped for cash and would rather spend less on unhealthy foods than spend more on healthier snacks. For example, when faced with a decision to buy a $3 fast food meal or a $15 healthier sit-down meal, most students would opt for the cheaper option. Unfortunately, this type of behavior takes its toll on the waistline. These types of behaviors, coupled with the stress that comes with moving to a new city and starting an entirely new experience, all add up to extra pounds by the end of sophomore year.
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