You might not have gained quite as much weight freshman year as you thought.
Researchers at Rutgers University released a study this week that shows that the average freshman gains seven pounds during his first year in college -- not the 15 of "freshman 15" fame.
The weight gain was the result of an extra 112 calories per day, according to the study. Three-fourths of participants in the study gained weight.
And students at Penn are not exempt, according to Office of Health Education officials.
Susan Villari, director of Penn's Office of Health Education, said there are several reasons students usually gain weight during their first year of college.
"Students are taking in more calories than they're burning," Villari said. In high school, "the family often regulates food choices and sleep schedules, so especially for first-year students, their sleep schedule is really different."
But experts disagree about whether the "freshman 15" is an exaggeration.
"I don't know if the '15' was made up," Villari said. She had no estimate for how much weight the average Penn freshman gained, but a 2004 study conducted by her office found that 20 percent of Penn students are overweight.
Variation in sleep patterns is another cause of weight gain because it leads to off-schedule hunger cues, and students eat more food on a less regular basis in college, Villari said.
"The other factor is alcohol -- some might be drinking at a higher level than they were in high school, so that certainly adds the calories," Villari added.
A 12-ounce beer contains between about 100 and 150 calories, depending on the brand.
Penn freshmen themselves say the weight-gain trend is real.
"Across the board, most people have gained some kind of weight because [coming to college] is a big change in lifestyle," College freshman Rebecca Chan said.
But according to Penn Dining executive Tim Zintz, the problem is not in the dining halls. He said offering healthy food options to students is a top priority.
"Eighty to 85 percent of our vegetables are steamed. We don't use any butter and we try to avoid animal fats," Zintz said.
Nutritional information for all dining hall meals is available online.
Penn Dining also employs nutritionist Karla Goldstein, who can offer help with diet options or nutritional information.
But some students don't think the dining halls do enough to combat freshman-year weight gain.
"I don't think the dining hall offers enough healthy choices," Chan said.
Even though all full-time students have access to the David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, data have shown that many don't take advantage of it.
Villari said the 2004 survey showed that about 25 percent of Penn students get no exercise at all.
But she added that students' weight tends to become more stable after the first year of college.
"You often hear about people in the first summer after college deciding they're going to get back in shape. They come back sophomore year and look a little bit different," Villari said.
She added that her office has never launched a specific campaign to combat weight gain because the "freshman seven" -- or "freshman 15" -- does not significantly affect academic performance.
"A seven-pound weight gain is probably not going to compel us to do something," Villari said.
