Edited Freshman 15 Story

Some students argue their exercise habits are purely financial because they can’t afford to buy bigger clothes. Others say they work out to impress a cute boy or girl at the gym. A smaller percentage of teens claim to work out solely for the pleasure found in endorphins. But, according to current students, the vast majority of students exercise to prevent gaining the dreaded “Freshman 15”.

The “Freshman 15” is weight gain associated with freshman year of college. While it may not be 15 pounds exactly, weight gain during the college years is extremely common.

Dr. Kathy Knight, associate professor in the department of nutrition and hospitality management at The University of Mississippi, focuses especially on weight management and nutrition. She stresses the importance of small portions sizes and eating lower calorie snacks.

“You may not gain any pounds right away, but if I gain a fourth of a pound every week that’s nine to 10 pounds at the end of the school year. The little things add up,” Knight said.

Knight believes diet and exercise go hand in hand, and students should try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

However, while weight gain during college typically has a negative connotation, Knight emphasizes the idea that weight gain may not be a bad thing.

“We are always told that when we look at the scale, more is always bad and this is not always true,” she said.

Knight says it is common for male students to grow one or two inches their freshman year, and with a height increase comes an equally proportioned weight increase. Weight gain may be in the form of muscle gained from walking to classes, in which the number on the scale is increasing but body image is diminishing.

Knight has written an excerpt in The Ole Miss Handbook: A Guide For Freshman titled “Five Tips for Avoiding the ‘Freshman Fifteen” in which she also mentions that water consumption is vital for a healthy lifestyle. She recommends 48 ounces a day because sometimes when we think we are hungry, we are really thirsty.

Many water bottles and hydrated students can be found at the Turner Center, the local fitness center on the Ole Miss campus. Students of all classification can be seen working out between classes.

According to Porsche Blackmon, campus recreation staff member, more than 1,600 students use the Turner Center daily, as recorded by a handheld, clicking tally counter.

Blackmon is well versed in the understanding of the “Freshman 15.” Her recommendation is to stay active.

“Actually enroll in a fitness class like jogging or weight lifting just so you get that work out a couple times a week,” Blackmon said.

The Turner Center has several fitness classes, intramural sports, a swimming pool, and a gym available to all students to help reduce the fear of the “Freshman 15.”

Dr. Kathy Knight, Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, kknight@olemiss.edu, 662-915-5172

Porsche Blackmon, Campus Recreation Staff and student, unable to obtain personal information