Almost every incoming freshman has worries when they step on campus for the first time, from waiting nervously to meet your roommate or sorting your first load of laundry.
Near the top of the list is the "freshman 15," the theory that many first-year students gain extra pounds. However, the question remains — is the freshman 15 fact or fiction?
Ronda Bokram, a nutritionist at Olin Health Center, compares the freshman 15 with one of "those urban legend things."
"They only follow students for a short period of time," Bokram said of the studies on first-year students and weight gain. "If you follow them over the whole academic year, it usually doesn't hold up. They can end up at the same weight, a little lighter, a little heavier."
According to Bokram, weight fluctuation can occur because college freshmen are anywhere from 17 to 19, a far cry from being a physically matured adult.
"Some of that weight gain is normal growth and development," she said. "Freshmen are just hitting adulthood."
Human biology senior John Nicholson lost 10 pounds during his freshman year.
"In high school, I was active and lifted a lot of weights," Nicholson said. "My freshman year I hit up the salad bar — between that and not lifting as much weights (is why I lost weight)."
The legend of the freshman 15 has grown so large that the fear of gaining a few extra pounds has led some students to begin dieting before they even step into their first lecture hall.
"(The thought of it) does scare freshmen," Bokram said. "I've seen so many students who started dieting before they came to college because they were afraid of the freshman 15."
The freshman 15 didn't scare psychology freshman Liz Panek, who said she was underweight before starting school and already has gained 15 pounds.
"Here, I can't cook my own food, and the cafeterias are only open until 7 or 8 (p.m.), and I stay up until 2 (a.m.) and snack," Panek said.
Bokram believes the best thing to do is eat normally.
"Remember to eat three to five meals a day, or every two to five hours. Be active, but not excessively," she said.
Staying active seems feasible in East Lansing with all the gyms and workout facilities available. IM Sports-East and West charge students $75 per semester for use of the fitness room, or a $105 package deal, which also includes the outdoor pool and classes.
Off campus, Gold's Gym, 4790 S. Hagadorn Road, costs $50 per month, $100 for four months or a semester and $300 for a year.
Powerhouse Gym, 435 E. Grand River Ave., doesn't have set rates, but works to help students however they can, especially freshmen, said Steve Peterson, a gym employee. One of the programs offered costs about $19 per month and has kept people coming back for years, Peterson said.
"We had a lot of freshmen sign up for that who are now juniors and are still using the facility," he said.
