Freshman Fifteen Thesis

“Freshman Fifteen”: a Problem or an Expression?
Jennifer A. Carithers – Thomas et al. are students of South Alabama University who work with earlier surveys want to confirm or refute the accuracy of a term “Freshman Fifteen.” They use their own ways to frame research questions and the methods to answer them. “Freshman Fifteen” is the research report that was published in the College Student Journal in 2009. “Freshman Fifteen” is the term that describes students who gain an average of 15 pounds during their first year in a college. Many researchers, nutritionists, and clinicians have discussed this topic; still, it is an open question. This study helps to identify the causes of weight gain. Moreover, the authors describe how to prevent getting
this problem. Also this study shows you how to get rid of the problem. As the number of first-year students is increasing every year, then this article should attract the attention of experts to create the proper and healthy prevention programs in the colleges and universities.
The general remark to the idea of the “Freshman Fifteen” was found in 1989.
This problem has been investigated, analyzed, and debated for almost two decades. Reviewing of the previous researches proves that weight gain happened usually; yet many researches showed that weight gain “substantially less than the predetermined 15”(752). For example, Howell’s studying showed an average gain of 8.8 pounds in 1985. Hoffman’s study showed 7 pounds in 2006, and study of Graham and Jones which was in 2000 showed 4.6 pounds of “59% of the volunteers gained weight in their freshman year” (752). Of course, differences in gaining weight were between women and men; women can keep their weight first 6 months and then gain (Hadge et al., 1993) and men gain weight and body mass index immediately. Some research suggests that this weight gain is “attributed to the new-found freedom,” and others think that an accumulation of weight happens due to frequent snacking at night and immense quantities of alcohol
(752). Fifty-two female and male students are the participants of this study. This course has three sections: the first section collects the measurements of the amount of weight gain, loss, or maintenance, the second describes factors which caused weight gaining and the third section ask students to identify ways to lose weight. Many students show a good orientation and knowledge when they answer on these questions, but 10% don’t pay much attention to this problem, so weight loss has improved. Some participants gain weight, others lose, and some even manage to keep it the way it is, but no one scores more than 15 marks. Students identify several problems that cause excess weight: snacking at night, less activity, general stress, eating unhealthy food, and drinking of alcohol. Also they share information how to become physically fit. For example, increase activity, eat healthy food, and decrease stress, alcohol consumption, and fast food.
Students don’t confirm that a problem called “Freshman Fifteen” exists, but they confirm that many factors can influence on gaining weight.
I’m a student, and I myself experience that to some extent. All day I sit at school and study, which is not easy. Teachers give me a lot of information, and I am supposed to not only listen but also reply to them. Responding needs some energy, and energy you can get from eating, eating not what is tasty, but eating healthy food. My mom, thank her, every day used to give me some snack to school and it was helpful. Also doing exercise is good, but I don’t have time for it. Of course, there are stressful situations after which I have a headache and lose my weight, which is clearly not good. Again, my family is with me and supports me. Everything that happens with me I read in this research. I’m glad that students have time and make some researches. It is a global problem. If the administrations of colleges or universities pay attention what kind of food they sell, make importance of exercise and engage health care centers to help students in stressful situations, it will help them to study and be healthy or strive to be healthy, because they will know that they are not alone and they can ask for
help.
In the conclusion, Carithers-Thomas’ research shows that many students understand the problem of weight gain and know how to deal with it, but not everyone does. Carithers-Thomas and her team make a point that the college administration should keep providing “the importance of good nutrition, consistent exercise, and healthy behavior”, so a new environment influences on students’ behaviors won’t be so stressful, and they will be able to be careful and keep calm (753). From the words “future research should focus on …”, we understand that this is not the finish and in the near future, students will know much more information about the “Freshman Fifteen.” (753) Surely, by cutting down on unhealthy food intake, exercising and following steps on how to avoid the “Freshman Fifteen,” students should have no problems keeping the weight off, look and feel great. Who knows? Maybe the problem of weight gain will not be more a problem, but just be like one of thousands of expressions that we can find on the Internet or whenever we want that had an evaluation in the past.

Works Cited
Carithers-Thomas, Jennifer A., et al. (2009). “Freshman Fifteen: Fact or Fiction?” Writing today. Eds. Richard Johnson-Sheehan, Charles Paine. 2nd ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 751-753. Print