Studentsshouldbeonlookoutfor ''Freshman15''

by Kristen Williams staff writer

As you are getting ready to finally step away from the comforts and routines of home into the vast unknown realm of college, words of advice are being thrown at you from all directions: '·these will be the best four years of your life," O "get involved," and "be sure to meet tons of new people," are just a few of them. There's one line of advice that is seldom heard, though, and that is, "watch out for the Freshman 15."

The "Freshman 15" is the term used to describe the weight gain that many first-year college students experience.

Both male and female students are prone to this change in their life and there are many reasons as to why it happens.

Tracey Greenwood, Cabrini's fitness director, feels that one reason for this change is that a student's first-year at college is essentially their first experience of being on their own.

"Because of class schedules many students aren't on a "" regimented eating schedule." Greenwood said.

Because of this it becomes typical for students to have food delivered or to make trips to Wawa at all hours of the day and night.

Along with these food runs comes a change in the type of foods students eat.

No longer are wholesome, home cooked meals a daily part of nutritional intake. Instead, students eat foods that have been prepared for them by the cafeteria. Thus, they become less aware of the nutritional value of their meals.

Food, however, is not the only reason college students put on weight.

Along with the change in diet comes a change in lifestyle and many times that lifestyle starts to include parties. Included with those parties is the consumption of alcohol. According to Greenwood, alcoholic beverages are full of "wasted calories," meaning the calories are not used or burned off by the body. Therefore, they accumulate and add to a person ·s weight.

Students are to blame for their weight gain as well. There are several ways to put on the dreaded 15 pounds, but there are also many ways to avoid it or lose it.

"Students don't always take advantage of the exercise equipment offered to them," says Greenwood. According to Greenwood, students at Cabrini are especially lucky, as they have access to the Dixon Center, a brand new, state-ofthe-art exercise facility.

Students need to be active in athletics and in personal training. At Cabrini, sports science majors work in the Dixon Center and are there to help students create personalized fitness programs that will help them achieve their own specific goals.

Along with working out and staying in shape, students need to be more conscious of what they are eating. Many students, including sophomore Sabrina Smith, said, "since we are forced and maybe even subjected to eating cafeteria food, it is hard to keep nutrition in mind."

It is true that at times it may be hard to notice the nutritional value of foods in the dining hall, but according to Denise Oldt, director of dining services, a new "cycle menu" is being created.

Once this new menu is implemented, food identification labels will be used in the cafeteria. The menu takes calories into consideration and pays attention to fat, sodium and cholesterol intake as well. Exactly when these plans will be implemented is unknown.

Late night snacks such as pizza are a big reason why students tend to put on that 15 pounds of unwanted weight when they go to college.

With the staff at the Dixon Center working with the students and Wood Dining Services doing what they can do to help, students should have no problem losing or keeping off the freshman 15.

So next time your fighting off the hunger for some greasy breadsticks or a cup of Ben and Jerry's, fight the craving to avoid that 15 pounds of unwanted baggage.