Lauren Hedinger '07 walked away from freshman year with great friends, fun memories and, unfortunately, a few unwanted pounds. After a year of college life — full of junk food, late night Wawa runs, and an abundance of high calorie beverages at the Street — Hedinger found herself a victim of the so-called Freshman 15.
"I definitely gained weight last year," said Hedinger. "It's so easy when you think about our college lifestyle."
Not only do dining halls offer a wide selection of delicious desserts, but both the U2 convenience store and the Wa are open 24 hours a day and are stocked with cookies, chips, candy and other snacks perfect for late-night cravings.
There's also the Frist Campus Center, which is one of the most popular late-night eateries on campus. Situated in prime location for students leaving the eating clubs to grab a quick snack before heading home, Frist pizza and candy is the perfect finale to an already unhealthy Thursday or Saturday night at the Street.
Sarah Breslow '08 has only been on campus for a week and has already seen how easy it is to pick up college eating habits. "Everyday in the dining hall, you just have to go for the Froyo," Breslow said, noting the irresistible pull of the cool delicacy.
"Gaining the Freshman 15 — a lot of girls go through it," said Eating Concerns Peer Educator Erica Hsu '05. "It's a new environment, and it can be difficult to deal with."
Upon arriving on campus, students go through a transition period as they adjust to many changes in their life, one of which can be their relationship to food, Hsu explained.
"Everything is okay in moderation," Sue Pierson, nutritionist for Dining Services, said. She stressed that a variety of foods is important for a healthy diet.
Pierson added that Dining Services has taken steps to promote healthy eating, including posting nutritional information for all recipes on-line and offering healthier alternatives, such as fruit, frozen yogurt and low-calorie dressings.
For some, the prospect of gaining weight can exacerbate deeper body image issues.
The Freshman 15 and eating disorders "can be related — it just depends on the person," Hsu said.
Female students aren't the only ones who are concerned the Freshman 15. Kyle Super '08 admitted that he too wants to avoid this common occurrence. He's managed to eat salads in the dining halls. However, avoiding Frist has not been as easy.
"When you get the munchies, you just have to go to Frist," Super said.
Unable to stave off late night snacking, many freshmen head to the Stephens Fitness Center in Dillon Gym to work off the extra calories. Offering treadmills, elliptical machines and a variety of fitness classes, Dillon gives students a healthy way to combat the Freshman 15.
Matt Brzycki, the Stephens Fitness Center Coordinator, said he's found that Monday is the fitness center's busiest day. "Maybe students are working off their guilt trip from the weekend," Brzycki said.
Brzycki stressed, however, that there is nothing wrong with the occasional piece of cake or slice of pizza at Frist. Nor will one late night 'Wa run lead to the Freshman 15, he said.
For those students who are not as active, however, gaining the Freshman 15 is often a legitimate concern.
"If you exercise too little and eat too much, you're going to gain weight," Brzycki said.
Hedinger has resolved to make more "conscious choices" about what she eats.
Perhaps the best advice came from Marion Aouad '07. "Watch out for the desserts," she said. "And beer every night will add a few pounds."
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