Frosh 15 may be a myth, but weight gain can continue

By David Kassis
The Collegian

Most people are familiar with the freshman 15 theory, but if students do not maintain diet and exercise habits, they will continue to gain weight throughout their college careers.

The idea surrounding the freshman 15 is that new students who are away from home for the first time can eat whatever they like at the dining hall, and therefore put on a few pounds.

In reality, first-year students gain an average of eight pounds, but weight gain usually continues through senior year.

Wade Gilbert, an assistant kinesiology professor, thinks the extra pounds are avoidable.

“The freshman 15, or freshman eight as it’s now known, can easily be prevented by making exercise a part of your schedule,” Gilbert said. “Students are gaining weight that they don’t lose because they have freedom and possibilities for the first time, and it just gets harder and harder for them to meet their goals.”

Gilbert suggests joining an intramural sport or an activity class as soon as possible to slow or stop any possible weight gains. Also, finding a workout partner who is like-minded is a great way for students to stay motivated.

“Every freshman should be required to sign up for an activity class both semesters,” Gilbert said. “That alone will not prevent weight gain, but when you are active you don’t crave sodas, chocolates or Doritos.”

Matthew Randazzo, 19, lives in the dorms on campus and is away from his parents for the first time this semester, yet knows the importance of eating healthy foods.

“It’s really hard to control yourself when you’re in the dining hall atmosphere,” Randazzo said. “But I’m used to eating a good diet so the bad food isn’t that tempting for me. It looked good at first, but it got old really quickly.”

For exercise, Randazzo credits the Student Recreation Center as his favorite place to go. “I work out five days a week,” Randazzo said. “It’s not that hard to stay in shape. I think [weight gain] is more prevalent in girls.”

Jared Garcia, 18, is also away from home for the first time, but has an off-campus apartment. “I think the freshman 15 is alive and well at Fresno State,” Garcia said. “It is a hard transition of going from high school to doing it on your own because I noticed within the first couple weeks of school people had fuller faces and their shirts were a little snugger.”

To avoid extra pounds, Gilbert said students need to make diet and exercise a priority. “Make a meeting with yourself to go exercise and have a firmly established diet,” Gilbert said. “The number one excuse people have is a lack of time, but everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. Just go exercise and it will be done.”

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