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 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
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