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Nutrition

The Freshman 15

The Freshman 15
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 5 to 7
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.36

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    necessarily, nutritious, gradual, caffeine, cutting, low-fat, analyze, leads, social, troublesome, unsweetened, daytime, maintain, identify, better, dorm

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The Freshman 15
By Jennifer Kenny 		  
1     Have you ever heard someone talk about the "freshman 15?" You may have thought it was a class in school or something to do with making friends. It's not, though. Instead, it is a term referring to weight gain that often occurs to students during their first year at college.
 
2     While the term has stuck around for a long time, researchers agree that fifteen is not always the magic number. Instead, it does appear that three to ten pounds will be gained by most students. Even if researchers want to quibble over numbers, they agree that a pattern of gradual weight gain can be troublesome if it continues. Some health risks associated with gaining too much weight include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint problems. Continued poor diet, poor exercise, and being overweight can promote type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.
 
3     What about when freshmen year all across the country brings on noticeable weight gain to college students then? Going off to college is quite the time of change in a young adult's life. College freshmen are typically sent away with clothes and school supplies but not necessarily sound nutrition strategies. All of a sudden, these freshmen are on their own to eat what they want including lots of carbohydrates and desserts in the dining hall. They may end up eating at really strange times, too, because of tight class schedules and late night study sessions. Exercise routines may change or become nonexistent as well.

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