'Freshman 15' more like 6 to 9 pounds

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Nov 10th 2008 10:00AM

Fifteen has long been touted as the magic number of pounds gained by many students during their freshman year in college. I know when I headed to the Big Ten, there was instant access to keg parties, $2.00 bottles of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill and two-for-one margaritas at that Mexican joint in the mall. I was grateful the dreaded 'Freshman 15' didn't strike over those grand four years, however my roaring 20s in the advertising industry -- aka drinking industry -- tells a different story.

Now two new studies at Indiana University and Tufts University reveal 15 is not the realistic number -- it's more like the 'Freshman Six to Nine.' But watch out, 67% of women reported gaining an average of 10 pounds by the start of their senior year, while 86% of men packed on 14 pounds. That's before the raucous senior year, when you're trying to squeeze in every last bit of partying before real world responsibilities hit.

Yes, those six-packs add up real fast. Interestingly, both sexes reported working out less in college compared to high school. Daily high school P.E. is a good thing. What was your higher education weight gain? Does 15 ring a bell or was it more like six to nine?

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Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JJ 11-10-2008 @ 4:21PM

I'm in my final year of university now and I'm smaller now than I was in high school. While my weight loss has been within the last year and a half, I didn't gain any weight first year. However, I do feel that while I didn't gain scale weight, I replaced muscle with fat...damn you all you can eat cafeteria and Sunday Sundaes. Despite not being religious whatsoever, I ended up giving up desert for lent because it was becoming too much of a habit.

The problem with first year is that all of a sudden people can eat whatever they want, whenever they want, without mom and dad watching. Also, and this will sound crazy, but it was as if the gym was too close. I could always go later because it was pretty much right across the street. Now I live about 20 minutes away and go five times a week, but that's because I feel guilty if I'm on campus and don't go to the gym because I know I won't walk all the way back later. Another problem with first years is that some are just too shy to take advantage of what the campus has to offer. Going to the gym isn't for everyone, but typically every school has intramural sports. This fall I played on three teams (two soccer and one frisbee), and had a great time meeting people who I wouldn't normally come in contact with and getting fit at the same time.

Bev Sklar 11-10-2008 @ 9:54PM

JJ,

Wow -- way to go on visiting the gym 5 times a week and showing the Freshman 6 to 9 the door.

Bev

M 11-10-2008 @ 6:07PM

I gained a stone in my first term, so I guess 15 is about right!

But boy, am I feeling the 'Drinking Industry'! You are so right about that. I just joined up 2 months ago, and my body and skin HATE me.

Bev Sklar 11-10-2008 @ 9:53PM

I was stuck in the drinking industry for 10 years -- left it for a non-profit position ... much better. Good luck. Advertising is a blast, but too much of a blast at times.

Bev

andrea 11-11-2008 @ 12:11PM

I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted when I lived at home. When I went to college, I had to walk everywhere- including the 253 steps to my dorm room from main campus. The whole area was steep hills and stairs. The dining hall closed at 8, and the girls on my floor ate dinner at 5. I never got up early enough for breakfast. As a result, I lost 40 pounds. College was the best thing that ever happened to my figure.

Liza 11-12-2008 @ 9:52PM

I actually lost about 15 pounds during college. I went to college on a spread-out city campus, so I pretty much walked everywhere, to classes and to work. I also worked as a waitress, so I was on my feet a lot, and there was a gym downstairs in my dorm.