Recent studies have shown the eating habits of college students could lead to something far more dangerous than the freshman 15.
The National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2005 had its highest percentage of overweight Americans ever at 64.5 percent. The largest portions of the overweight sample come from the 18 to 29 age group.
These results suggest that the transition into college frequently is accompanied by excessive weight gain, like the freshman 15, but why?
College is a time of change. The stress of adjusting can cause people to cope in different ways, and can dramatically influence dietary habits. “People sometimes eat in response to anxiety, homesickness, sadness and all of these can be part of adapting to being away at school,” said Dr. Donald L. Henson, Jr., a psychiatrist at Nolichuckey-Holston Area Mental Health Center.
College also offers many temptations that could cause first time students to pack on the pounds. Students can pile on the portions in the dining hall, eating meals of French fries and ice cream, and indulge in sugary and salty snacks to fuel late-night study sessions.
Stephanie Graves, a junior journalism major, goes through a similar routine. “Between work, school and a social life I don’t have time to do anything,” she said. “Food that I can eat quick and easy is more important to me than how healthy it is.”
A study done at Western Oregon University has shown that the eating habits students develop while in college remain with them for the rest of their lives. “It’s hard for them to understand that what they do right now will affect the quality of the life they are studying for,” said Linda Stonecipher, the study author.
Bad eating habits are not the only thing plaguing college student’s waistlines.
An Ohio State University study showed that 52 percent of college students surveyed were physically inactive or exercised irregularly. Even those students who are physically fit entering college still have to watch their weight.
“Many people come out of high school from an athletic background but once they enter college they keep eating the same way but don’t maintain an exercise regimen and this is where weight gain can occur rapidly,” said Debbie Clendenin, a certified personal trainer.
This occurred to Benji Hawk, a graduate student at ETSU. “I played basketball for four years of high school and four years at Tusculum College and never gained a pound, but now that I haven’t played in two years I’ve put on a spare tire,” he said.
Dr. Christine Economos at Tufts University, who does research on the eating habits of college students, says that if students do not establish a healthy lifestyle now they could develop serious health risks later on. “Poor diet and exercise habits in college can start you on a path that could later lead to heart disease, Type 2 diabetes or even certain kinds of cancer,” said Economos, in an article in the American Medical Journal.
The best way to beat the problem of weight gain is to start with your diet and here are some tips from www.teenshealth.org: watch the size of your portions, eat slower at meals, try to eat at regular times, keep healthy snacks like fruit in your room and keep between-meal snacking to a minimum.
When it comes to exercise there are small changes that could make big impacts on your health. The Tufts study recommends just 30 minutes of exercise to help keep off the pounds. Students could walk briskly across campus instead of taking the bus, take the stairs instead of the elevator or even try cycling to class.
Even if students don’t diet and exercise taking control of their lifestyle can have a dramatic impact on health. Not only can alcohol lead to health problems, but beer and alcohol are high in calories and can cause some serious weight gain.
Students should try to keep a regular sleeping schedule where they receive seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
Gaining weight during college is not inevitable. Students may have their ups and downs, but a few simple changes to their daily routine can help them win against the battle of the bulge.

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