Students leaving the friendly confines of their homes and venturing to colleges and universities this fall will experience a new sense of freedom: no more curfews, no one to make them do their homework and no one to tell them what and what not to eat.
Many students will add weight during their freshman year on campus because of a combination of unhealthy eating and less exercise. Former high school athletes are at a greater risk of gaining weight due to a change in their consistent exercise patterns.
While this may seem like common sense, students across the country will still experience the "Freshman 15."
According to www.freshmanfifteen.com, a Web site designed to educate incoming college students on expected weight gains, some of the common causes of weight gain are lack of exercise, late night eating, keeping unhealthy snacks on hand, eating unhealthy cafeteria food and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
Karen Miller, a dietician at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Health Center, wrote in an e-mail that some students come to college with an adolescent body, so weight gain may simply be part of their body's development. She also said weight gain is a result of increased calories, decreased physical activity or a combination of both.
"Some students will eat to cope with sadness, depression, anxiety and being homesick," Miller said. "If food is being used as a coping mechanism, (students should) seek help."
Students should try to be active at least 60 minutes a day on most days of the week, Miller said. "Activity can include taking a walk, playing intramurals or other cardio type of activities," she said.
Scott Thorson, a sophomore mechanical engineer major, said he didn't gain any weight his freshman year because he went to the Campus Recreation Center and was on UNL's frisbee team.
Thorson said he worked out three or four days a week. He said his typical workout consisted of running two miles and lifting weights, followed by running another two miles.
Not all freshmen are as lucky as Thorson. Collin Pietz, a sophomore film studies major, said he gained about 10 pounds during his first year in school. Pietz tried, however, to take off the weight.
"I walked anywhere I could, both to class and just around town, as much as possible," Pietz said. "I went to the rec sometimes, and I tried to stay away from the greasy foods in the cafeteria and instead ate more fruits and salads."
Pietz said students should be more resourceful while attending UNL. He said students worried about gaining weight should use the rec center to exercise and take advantage of some of the healthier food choices at the dining halls.
Incoming freshman Anne Gates from Columbus said she will be prepared to fight against the potential weight gain. She said a healthy diet of non-junk foods and consistent exercise will keep off the pounds. She's already toured the rec center, and hopes they'll have exercise programs for her to participate in.
"(Programs) makes you more willing to stick to exercising if you are with friends or a group or if you have a program to follow," Gates said. "Also, its usually more fun."
mikeschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
