The whole world cheers for healthy and organic food. However being in college makes it quite difficult to maintain a balanced healthy diet. A student falls to the temptations of fast and convenient foods. Though eating is the body’s energy it’s also the path to destruction of the mind and body. Having a good healthy diet has tremendous effects on the mind, and thus on the outcome in the students scholastic wellness.
Research has proven to me just how difficult it is to maintain a healthy balanced diet. Most freshman’s end up gaining weight, hence the concept of the freshman 15. The concept of the "Freshman Fifteen" was found in 1989 that chronicled a college freshman's fight against weight gain. These 15 pounds of perceived weight gain that has been investigated, analyzed, evaluated, and debated for almost two decades refers to the popular belief that students gain an average of 15 pounds during their first year of college (Carithers-Thomas, Bradford, Keshock, Pugh). Shocking!!! Is it not? This is not exactly the best news freshman’s want to hear. Being a freshman myself I could not help but wonder what it is exactly that causes this weight gain.
As if I don’t already know… Everyone knows why it is they gain unwanted weight. We just choose to deny it. Unless it is a medical issue, the most common factors affecting weight gain are:
Study has shown that 90% of first year college students are aware of the freshman 15, yet many students chose to ignore the warning signs related to weight gain. Many researchers suggest that this weight gain is attributed to the new-found freedom and accompanying stress associated with the shift to college life (Carithers-Thomas, Bradford, Keshock, Pugh). Ya think. I’m finally free, no parents telling me not to eat what is unhealthy or to eat my veggies!!! Other researchers claim that the excess weight gain is due to an increase in caloric consumption through the intake of alcohol and unhealthy snacking (Carithers-Thomas, Bradford, Keshock, Pugh).
Along with all these reasons for weight gain, I believe that another reason could be the cafeteria food in the colleges. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s great that we have a cafeteria. I think I am right when I say that we are all grateful for all the help and effort put in by the cafeteria workers. However despite its good intention the cafeteria is health hazard on the students. Navigating the cafeteria can be time consuming and confusing. Keep it simple and keep in mind your fueling basics. I know all the unhealthy options out there: fried foods, greasy burgers, meat-loaded pizza, sugary cereals, bacon, potato chips, and ranch dressing... ( Meg Mangan). All these options seem unhealthy, but the great thing about the cafeteria is that is it has many options. It always has the option of grilled over fried, and almost always has steamed or sautéed veggies. It is only up to the student to choose the healthy choices.
With all the studies conducted it turns out that gaining fifteen pounds is nearly impossible. What a scare I gave you!?! Don’t worry I nearly scarred myself reading all the information. As I read in one article with 49 participants, the average amount gained was only 4.6 pounds, and 36% of the sample actually lost weight during their 1st year of college. In addition, body fat did not change during that year (Graham, Jones). Great news, huh? Nonetheless some did gain, though it might not have been a whole 15 pounds, it was unnecessary weight.
As a freshman in Guilford College, I can assure it is easy to put on those extra pounds. Take for example going to grab a wrap at the grill. Given though a wrap could be made to your exact specifications, it still remains unhealthy. The ingredients are either frozen or canned. To top things off with every wrap you get you are offered either a bag of chips of a fruit. Most of the students go for the chips. Sad fact but true.
A good way to keep off the unwanted weight is to get involved on campus. Keep your mind busy enough to only think of food when it is truly hungry. There is plenty to do and while it is extremely tempting to snack on unhealthy food, one must have the will to resist. Sounds like a suicide mission, I know, I’m shaking my head as we speak. It is doable though. It’s all about choice and will.
Though food plays a crucial role in a student's health, another important factor is stress. A student, especially a college student, is under a lot of stress. With school work, involvement, and the rapid change he/she is exposed to stress is simply inevitable. When a person is under stress, food becomes the long adored friend. Emotional eating comes to play and this becomes a health risk.
Do you see how the two are entwined?
Stressful student = emotional eater = unwanted weight = more stress
Its a vicious cycle!!
However: Where there is a will there is a way:
I don’t want anybody having this kind of relationship or something like this after their freshman year:
Graham, Melody A., and Amy L. Jones. "Freshman 15: Valid Theory or Harmful Myth?" Journal of American College Health50.4 Jan. (2002): 171-73. SPORTDiscus. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=6437119&site=ehost-live>.
Carithers-Thomas, Jennifer A., Shelley H. Bradford, and Christopher M. Keshock. "Freshman Fifteen: Fact of fiction?" College Student Journal 44.2 June (2010): 419-25. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=51456646&site=ehost-live>.
Mangano, Meg. "CAFETERIA." Volleyball (10584668) 21.8 Oct. (2010): 34-38. SPORTDiscus with Full Text . Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=54017145&site=ehost-live>.
Research has proven to me just how difficult it is to maintain a healthy balanced diet. Most freshman’s end up gaining weight, hence the concept of the freshman 15. The concept of the "Freshman Fifteen" was found in 1989 that chronicled a college freshman's fight against weight gain. These 15 pounds of perceived weight gain that has been investigated, analyzed, evaluated, and debated for almost two decades refers to the popular belief that students gain an average of 15 pounds during their first year of college (Carithers-Thomas, Bradford, Keshock, Pugh). Shocking!!! Is it not? This is not exactly the best news freshman’s want to hear. Being a freshman myself I could not help but wonder what it is exactly that causes this weight gain.
As if I don’t already know… Everyone knows why it is they gain unwanted weight. We just choose to deny it. Unless it is a medical issue, the most common factors affecting weight gain are:
Reasons | Percentage |
Late-night snacking | 20.8 |
Cafeteria food selection | 12.9 |
Social Eating | 11.9 |
Irregular Schedule | 11.9 |
General Stress | 10.9 |
Decreased Activity | 10.9 |
Lack of “Healthy Foods” | 8.9 |
Social Drinking | 6.9 |
Not too out of the ordinary right? All of these seem to be understandable factors.
Along with all these reasons for weight gain, I believe that another reason could be the cafeteria food in the colleges. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s great that we have a cafeteria. I think I am right when I say that we are all grateful for all the help and effort put in by the cafeteria workers. However despite its good intention the cafeteria is health hazard on the students. Navigating the cafeteria can be time consuming and confusing. Keep it simple and keep in mind your fueling basics. I know all the unhealthy options out there: fried foods, greasy burgers, meat-loaded pizza, sugary cereals, bacon, potato chips, and ranch dressing... ( Meg Mangan). All these options seem unhealthy, but the great thing about the cafeteria is that is it has many options. It always has the option of grilled over fried, and almost always has steamed or sautéed veggies. It is only up to the student to choose the healthy choices.
 |
With all the studies conducted it turns out that gaining fifteen pounds is nearly impossible. What a scare I gave you!?! Don’t worry I nearly scarred myself reading all the information. As I read in one article with 49 participants, the average amount gained was only 4.6 pounds, and 36% of the sample actually lost weight during their 1st year of college. In addition, body fat did not change during that year (Graham, Jones). Great news, huh? Nonetheless some did gain, though it might not have been a whole 15 pounds, it was unnecessary weight.
As a freshman in Guilford College, I can assure it is easy to put on those extra pounds. Take for example going to grab a wrap at the grill. Given though a wrap could be made to your exact specifications, it still remains unhealthy. The ingredients are either frozen or canned. To top things off with every wrap you get you are offered either a bag of chips of a fruit. Most of the students go for the chips. Sad fact but true.
A good way to keep off the unwanted weight is to get involved on campus. Keep your mind busy enough to only think of food when it is truly hungry. There is plenty to do and while it is extremely tempting to snack on unhealthy food, one must have the will to resist. Sounds like a suicide mission, I know, I’m shaking my head as we speak. It is doable though. It’s all about choice and will.
Though food plays a crucial role in a student's health, another important factor is stress. A student, especially a college student, is under a lot of stress. With school work, involvement, and the rapid change he/she is exposed to stress is simply inevitable. When a person is under stress, food becomes the long adored friend. Emotional eating comes to play and this becomes a health risk.
Do you see how the two are entwined?
Stressful student = emotional eater = unwanted weight = more stress
Its a vicious cycle!!
However: Where there is a will there is a way:
I don’t want anybody having this kind of relationship or something like this after their freshman year:
So please have the will to stop!
If you have gained the weight or know somebody who has, here is a way to get rid of it:
Hello. Are you there. Where did every one go? Hope I haven't scared you away?
Reference:
Carithers-Thomas, Jennifer A., Shelley H. Bradford, and Christopher M. Keshock. "Freshman Fifteen: Fact of fiction?" College Student Journal 44.2 June (2010): 419-25. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=51456646&site=ehost-live>.
Mangano, Meg. "CAFETERIA." Volleyball (10584668) 21.8 Oct. (2010): 34-38. SPORTDiscus with Full Text . Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=54017145&site=ehost-live>.
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