Freshman Weight Gain: Inevitable or Avoidable?

Your son or daughter is preparing for college, so your family has started a checklist. Student loan research, check. Scholarship research, check. Campus visits, check, but I am guessing that "freshman weight gain" discussion isn't on most lists. I am also guessing that that subject has even occurred to you and are now wondering why I feel it is worth even bringing up, either way, I have you hooked, don't I?

Our son, a sophomore, was home this past weekend for a visit from college and I took the opportunity to "rib" him a bit about putting on a few pounds to which he replied, that it has alot to do with his hectic schedule that many days leaves him little or no time for breakfast. This brief exchange got me to thinking that I remember having a similar conversation with him prior to his freshman year, which was prompted by a comment made during the "parent only orientation" portion of pre-college that addressed anticipated weight gains by your child.

Before getting into how to ward off possible weight gains, it is important to note that it is not inevitable that they will come, and that by sharing some tips I have uncovered could help your son or daughter to not only not gain additional weight, but maintain healthy eating habits away from your watchful eye.

The parents were told to expect weight gains of up to fifteen pounds, sometimes as early as the first Christmas break, and this is known as the "freshman 15". A little further research uncovered a book titled "Avoid the Freshman 15" by Diana Keuilian who happens to be a personal trainer that addresses this topic among others.

In her book she shares that the skipping of breakfast is a very common metabolism killer among college students. She also goes on to suggest that the hectic schedules of many college students suggests that they can stay "up" and reduce fat storage by eating smaller sized meals every 3-4 hours. Simple and sound advice since food options, healthy no less, are very convenient on campus, so this should be easy to relay to your child.