Why do freshman in college gain weight

But the researchers in the Auburn study observed that the "growth" they found in the college students consisted primarily of fat mass meaning natural growth patterns could not account for it. They attributed the weight gain to late night study habits, often fueled by vending machine snacks ; fattening choices in college cafeterias, and a lack of activity.

Save Pin FB More. Here are five ways college students can eat healthy and avoid gaining weight:. Keep healthy snacks handy. Dorm room refrigerators should be stocked with healthy, satisfying snacks, such as fruit, string cheese, Greek yogurt, hummus, and baby carrots. Drink water. Too many calories from sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages can lead to weight gain. These drinks can also cause spikes in blood sugar that can increase hunger. There isn't one clear reason why students gain the freshman 15 in college, it's usually a combination of many factors.

First, obviously most students have a diet change. All-you-can-eat dining halls often replace home-cooked meals, and access to unlimited junk food and soda can lead many to start eating a less-than-ideal diet. Even outside the dining hall , a lot of college-students eat way more junk food than they formerly did or should. Hello, stretchy pants.

And it's important to note that you can still be malnourished even if you're over-consuming calories. If your body doesn't get the nutrients it needs, it's going to still be desperate for food, which can lead to overeating.

Blame it on the alcohol , but seriously. Alcohol yields more calories per gram than carbs and protein , but with none of the nutrients. It's super easy to drink the calories away, without providing your body any nourishment , meaning your body still needs food and even more calories, which can contribute to the Freshman Then there's the whole drunkie element: most people don't reach for kale salads when they're drunk but if you do, hey, more power to ya.

More often than not, drunk eating means binging on high-calorie foods like fries and pizza. A lot of students also suddenly drink more soda and sweetened coffee beverages , adding hundreds of calories to their daily intake without even noticing. Aside from dining halls and partying , a lot of students suddenly stop exercising. Sure, the walk to class is probably a bit further than in high school , but the sudden cessation of daily sports practices takes working out out of your daily routine.

Going to the gym requires motivation, time, and may not always be convenient. There are various causes for weight gain during the freshman year, such as eating in dorms, social events, eating late at night, stress and emotional eating, increased alcohol intake, and decreased physical activity.

While gaining weight in college may seem unavoidable, there are plenty of things you can do to help prevent it and keep yourself feeling better in the long run. Try to find activities you enjoy and schedule regular exercise into your weekly routine. You could try jogging, following a YouTube workout , lifting weights, or joining a group fitness class. Simple things like walking to your classes or taking the stairs instead of elevators can make a difference in the long run.

If you tend to study late at night and need snacks to stay focused, prepare some healthy snacks beforehand that will keep you focused, curb your appetite, and help you stay away from less nutritious, higher calorie fare. Here are some great healthy and convenient snack options you can keep in your room:. When it comes to navigating the dining hall, start by filling your plate with plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains such as brown rice, and a source of lean protein like fish, chicken, or beans.

Filling your plate with more healthy nutrient-dense foods like these will leave less room for unhealthy items. Building a balanced plate with a combination of fiber-rich whole grains, colorful produce, and lean protein will also help you stay fuller longer, give you the energy to power through a long day of classes and studying, and help prevent unwanted weight gain. Stress can be difficult to manage and can affect your weight and mental health. You can do many things to avoid weight gain, such as finding ways to stay active, keeping nutritious snacks on hand, choosing healthier options from the cafeteria, and finding healthy ways to manage stress.

Although it may not be exactly 15 pounds 7 kg , studies suggest many first-year college students gain around 7. There are many reasons for this weight gain, such as eating in dorms, eating during social events, and eating late at night. To help manage your weight your first year in college, you might try some of the tips in this article, like finding ways to stay active, keeping nutritious snacks on hand, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, and choosing healthier options from the cafeteria.

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