2008 Woodie Awards
Campus nutritionist looks at freshman weight gain
Megan Wood
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News
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The first year of college brings changes in the lives of students. For some, it is the first time away from home, for others it is the novelty of independence that encourages a change in lifestyle. Eating habits are usually the least noticeable, but often have the most impact.
"I didn't gain the freshman 15. I gained more like the freshman 20," said Dylan Casano, a sophomore majoring in graphic design.
The feelings toward the fact or fallacy of the "freshman 15" varies from student to student, depending on where he or she lives, the sport he or she participates in and what he or she eats.
"I blame the food," said Jenna Provinse, a sophomore majoring in social work and psychology. "The food is horrible - all the choices and no home-cooked meals."
Jessin Ulloa, a junior majoring in radiology, never lived on campus and therefore never had a meal plan.
"It's not real. It's a myth. It doesn't happen to everybody - it didn't happen to me, so unless you don't take care of yourself, it's a myth," Ulloa said.
According to San Jose State University nutritionist Jennifer Waldrop, the freshman 15 isn't really 15.
"Research shows that most college freshmen gain seven pounds. So the freshman 15 isn't really accurate in terms of the number 15, but there is definitely a trend of weight gain within the first 12 weeks of beginning college," Waldrop said.
The first 12 weeks are a period of major transition from life at home to a new life at college, Waldrop said.
"Stress levels increase, which can change eating habits, food choices change and physical activity tends to decrease because students study more … these disruptions cause pretty immediate weight gain in the first 12 weeks," Waldrop said.
Casano found himself on a tight budget and, to save money, ate the cheapest things he could get his hands on.
"The cheapest stuff is the fattiest stuff … fast food, hot pockets. It's cheap and fatty," Casano said.
"I didn't gain the freshman 15. I gained more like the freshman 20," said Dylan Casano, a sophomore majoring in graphic design.
The feelings toward the fact or fallacy of the "freshman 15" varies from student to student, depending on where he or she lives, the sport he or she participates in and what he or she eats.
"I blame the food," said Jenna Provinse, a sophomore majoring in social work and psychology. "The food is horrible - all the choices and no home-cooked meals."
Jessin Ulloa, a junior majoring in radiology, never lived on campus and therefore never had a meal plan.
"It's not real. It's a myth. It doesn't happen to everybody - it didn't happen to me, so unless you don't take care of yourself, it's a myth," Ulloa said.
According to San Jose State University nutritionist Jennifer Waldrop, the freshman 15 isn't really 15.
"Research shows that most college freshmen gain seven pounds. So the freshman 15 isn't really accurate in terms of the number 15, but there is definitely a trend of weight gain within the first 12 weeks of beginning college," Waldrop said.
The first 12 weeks are a period of major transition from life at home to a new life at college, Waldrop said.
"Stress levels increase, which can change eating habits, food choices change and physical activity tends to decrease because students study more … these disruptions cause pretty immediate weight gain in the first 12 weeks," Waldrop said.
Casano found himself on a tight budget and, to save money, ate the cheapest things he could get his hands on.
"The cheapest stuff is the fattiest stuff … fast food, hot pockets. It's cheap and fatty," Casano said.
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