The Big Idea
“The Big Idea”
Introduction
Students have a great fear of gaining the dreaded “freshman 15” pounds during their first year at college. Going away to college makes most students vulnerable to weight gain and develop disordered eating habits. Students are faced with a different lifestyle for the first time in their lives. They are now able to choose when, where, and what to eat without their parent’s input. Although the unwanted weight-gain is mainly in the hands of the freshman going through this change of lifestyle at college, the university itself can also help prevent the situation from occurring.
Current Situation
Research shows that the “freshman 15” is gained by every 5 out of 7 students. Males have gained more weight their first year when compared to females (Study 1-2). College students think that they are invincible and are not susceptible to weight gain and other health problems. A study was conducted at the University of New Hampshire, collecting data from 800 undergraduate students. Results showed that one-third were obese or overweight, eight percent of men had metabolic syndrome, 60 percent of men had high blood pressure, and more than two thirds of women did not meet the necessary nutritional needs for iron, calcium, or folate (College Students 2, 6).
The Penn State Food Services (PSFS) has done a poor job of preventing students from gaining weight while living on campus. Penn State only offers all-you-can-eat dinning halls, making students more susceptible to excessive weight gain. Students are given the opportunity to take as much food as they please in one sitting. Some may take up to three extra servings. The food selection that PSFS provides is very limiting. Most of the foods are filled with carbohydrates such as various types of pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. These foods do not provide students with a proper nutritional content. Carbohydrates are necessary for everyone’s diet, but an excessive amount that the PSFS
Introduction
Students have a great fear of gaining the dreaded “freshman 15” pounds during their first year at college. Going away to college makes most students vulnerable to weight gain and develop disordered eating habits. Students are faced with a different lifestyle for the first time in their lives. They are now able to choose when, where, and what to eat without their parent’s input. Although the unwanted weight-gain is mainly in the hands of the freshman going through this change of lifestyle at college, the university itself can also help prevent the situation from occurring.
Current Situation
Research shows that the “freshman 15” is gained by every 5 out of 7 students. Males have gained more weight their first year when compared to females (Study 1-2). College students think that they are invincible and are not susceptible to weight gain and other health problems. A study was conducted at the University of New Hampshire, collecting data from 800 undergraduate students. Results showed that one-third were obese or overweight, eight percent of men had metabolic syndrome, 60 percent of men had high blood pressure, and more than two thirds of women did not meet the necessary nutritional needs for iron, calcium, or folate (College Students 2, 6).
The Penn State Food Services (PSFS) has done a poor job of preventing students from gaining weight while living on campus. Penn State only offers all-you-can-eat dinning halls, making students more susceptible to excessive weight gain. Students are given the opportunity to take as much food as they please in one sitting. Some may take up to three extra servings. The food selection that PSFS provides is very limiting. Most of the foods are filled with carbohydrates such as various types of pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. These foods do not provide students with a proper nutritional content. Carbohydrates are necessary for everyone’s diet, but an excessive amount that the PSFS