Is the Freshman 15 Real?

We’ve all heard of the notorious freshman 15 prior to college. Whether we’ve heard it through jokes with our peers or through movies and other media, it is a phenomenon that has been undeniably acknowledged by our culture. So the question arises; is the freshman 15 a true experience or is it simply a fictitious claim? One wide-scale study conducted at Ohio State University made an attempt to put this question to the test. Researchers monitored 7,417 young people as they transitioned to their first year at the university. After the data were collected and analyzed, it was clear that although a solid trend in weight gain was observed, the 15 pound aspect was a gross over exaggeration. In fact, the actual figure was closer to three pounds¹. Although it would be fair to consider the “freshman 15” to be a myth based on this study, it is important to note that a three pound weight gain over the course of a year is still 6x higher than that of the general population. The very existence of this myth seems to acknowledge that the transition from high school to college is a big one with new and unique challenges that can alter the way that individuals were previously living their lives.

When going into the first year of college, many individuals are facing choices that they’ve never had to before. It addition to new found independence, there are also new found responsibilities, pressures, and stressors. This can be a lot to deal with for some individuals. When attempting to juggle a jam-packed schedule and tight budget, many young people find that they are unable to find adequate time or money for the healthy choices that they would like to make. This is a perfectly natural thing to encounter. Getting into the groove of what exercise routines and meal patterns work best for each individual body will take some time. Luckily, there are also resources available to help. If you’re feeling like you could use some help with meeting your nutrition goals, free peer nutrition counseling is available to you. Contact the CSULB Health Resource Center at (562) 985-4609 for more information or to make an appointment.

If you desire a more comprehensive type of meeting with a health educator, Thrive @ The Beach may be of help to you. This whole-person approach to health, happiness, and well-being addresses much more than just nutrition and fitness. During your one-on-one Thrive appointment, you can discuss different factors that may be affecting your health, such as stress reduction, sleep quality, time management, and social support. Contact the Health Resource Center to make an appointment. 

If you’re feeling the stress of a difficult transition and you need a new outlet, try one of our wellness programs! Yoga, mindfulness meditation, and acupuncture are just a few examples of the programs that are available now. These services are all available at the same center as above. Call or visit the Health Resource Center office to find out more about the new programs we’re offering this semester! The physical office is located in the Student Health Services building, room 268.

By Clara Chang

Resources:

¹Zagorsky, J. L., & Smith, P. K. (2011). The Freshman 15: A Critical Time for Obesity Intervention or Media Myth?. Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell), 92(5), 1389-1407. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6237.2011.00823.x