Freshman 15 myth

Posted: December 2, 2011

Is it really true?

By Rachel Bartz, Talon staff writer

If you were to ask a high school what they are most worried about for college, you might find the dreaded “freshman fifteen” as one of the top answers.

But is this feared legend simply a myth?

According to a study conducted by Ohio State University, both men and women between the ages of 17 and 20,  gained, on average, about three pounds.

Heavy drinkers were shown to gain more, and students with a job gained less.

Variables included income, poverty and living in a dorm versus living at home, which were not shown to have any effect.

Young adults in the same age group who did not attend college were also studied and were shown to gain the same amount of weight.

Jay L. Zagorsky, a research scientist at Ohio State, told The New York Times, “There are lots of things to worry about when you go to college, but gaining weight is not one of them.

Worry about flunking your courses and whether you’re going to like your roommates. Don’t worry about a myth.”

 

You may also like…

Review: “Dial M for Murder” at the Guthrie

Playful adaptation brings Hitchcock classic to classic stage Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, The Guthrie’s Dial M for Murder is a charming and comedic production of a classic theatrical story. The show follows the twisted journey of Tony Wendice — a man plotting to murder...

Consumerism’s dangers and “rewards” programs

Coffee drinkers may not be saving as much as they hope If you think you have enough money to get Starbucks every day and avoid unnecessary advertisements, you’re in for a surprise. Starbucks, however, would like nothing more than to keep you — and your wallet — away...

Reflections on American culture

Compared with life in Slovakia, American routines can be ... surprising Imagine starting a new chapter of your life in a different country in a different part of the world with a different culture and language. Immersed in this new culture, you suddenly realize that...

A new era for girls basketball

New coach brings different philosophy A warm salty drop of sweat falls from your drenched forehead as you are catching your breath. You place your hands on your knees as you watch your legs tremble with aching pain. Just as you regain your strength you hear the...

History and film: fact or fiction

Is the screen an adequate medium for depicting the events of history?    This October, highly-esteemed director Martin Scorsese released a must-see historical spectacle, and the latest addition to his filmmaking oeuvre — Killers of the Flower Moon. Killers of the...