Debunking the “Freshman Fifteen”: Myth or Reality?

The dreaded Freshman Fifteen: it’s the common weight gain of up to fifteen pounds that many new college students experience during their first year. But is it real? Sadly, yes. The Freshman Fifteen is indeed real, but the good news is that it can be prevented with a bit of preparation.

### The Freshman Fifteen: The Infamous Phenomenon

In English-speaking countries, the idea of gaining around fifteen pounds in your first year of college is so well-known that many incoming freshmen try to lose weight before they even start classes, hoping to counteract the inevitable. While that might be a solution for some, a more straightforward way to avoid the Freshman Fifteen is to understand its main causes:
1. **Alcohol** – College life often includes drinking large amounts of alcohol, which can lead to poor food choices. When you’re drunk, fatty and sugary foods are extra tempting, and alcohol lowers your self-control. This makes it easy to binge on unhealthy snacks.
2. **Lack of Sleep** – Most first-year students don’t get enough sleep. This messes with the hormone leptin, which tells your brain when you’re full. Without enough sleep, you’re more likely to overeat. On top of that, being tired can make you cranky, which can also lead to eating more than usual.
3. **College Food** – Many colleges offer meal plans with all-you-can-eat dining halls. Combined with the effects of alcohol and lack of sleep, it’s easy to overeat when the food is right in front of you, and let’s face it, college food isn’t always the healthiest.

### How To Avoid Gaining Weight In College

To avoid the Freshman Fifteen, you need to tackle the causes head-on. Limiting alcohol is crucial; try to stick to what health experts call “moderate” drinking. Additionally, aim to maintain a regular sleep schedule, take walks whenever you can, use stairs instead of elevators, get involved in active events, and make healthier food choices.

By being mindful of these habits, you can protect yourself from the very real, but very avoidable, Freshman Fifteen.