As students around the country begin preparing for college, an eating disorder expert is trying to set their minds at ease. Many incoming college students worry about the “Freshman 15” – the 15 pounds of extra weight that students supposedly gain during their freshman year.
But [Cynthia] Bulk said recent research suggests that the average student gains only five pounds in the first year of college. And a 2008 study published in the journal Health Psychology found that the male students who gain weight generally do so because of an increase in muscle mass.
"You want to go into college as healthy and robust as you possibly can," she said.
Once they get to college, young people are confronted with a new group of peers to whom they can compare themselves. For students who are already concerned about their weight, that can trigger or worsen an eating disorder, Bulik said. [Source: Medical News Today]
Many young girls place a lot of pressure on themselves to lose weight their first year of college, in an attempt to compete with other girls on campus who appear to be skinnier. This comparison, combined with fear over the “Freshman 15,” can trigger eating disorder. Bulk encourages students to keep an eye on each other, and start asking questions if someone is losing a lot of weight or appears to have unhealthy eating or exercise habits.
Labels: pressures, colleges
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