New students beware.
The "freshman 15," the weight gain many incoming University students fear, is not just an ugly rumor.
Following their first year at college, many University students, like LSA junior Martin Tutwiler, went home significantly heavier.
"I came in my freshman year weighing 165 pounds, and by April weighed 200 pounds," Tutwiler said.
First-year students must focus on establishing good eating habits, said Paula Herzog, nutrition specialist for residence hall dining services
Residence hall dining services aim to help students eat a well-balanced diet.
"I personally analyze each recipe," Herzog said "Each food has a label with nutrition information, and there is a wide variety of foods from around the world."
However, many students question the quality and desirability of dining services' offerings.
"I had to avoid the entrees because of the taste," said LSA junior Therese Houlihan. "I don't know how you can ruin stir fry or pizza, but they manage to do it."
Students' food consumption is not limited to the dining halls. Snacking is also a popular pastime for University students, Herzog said. Late-night pizza and occasional beers - conventional staples in a college diet - are two culprits of many students' weight gain.
"If you eat normally and add two beers per day, you could expect to gain 10 pounds by Christmas," Herzog said.
Exercise is a popular and efficient way for students to avoid putting on more pounds. The University's three recreation buildings all have a growing array of fitness equipment, said Robert Fox, associate director of the University's Department of Recreational Sports.
"You see more people in the facilities than eight or 10 years ago," Fox said. "This increase is especially noticeable among women."
Intramural sports are a popular release for students. There are 35 different sports available, ranging from broomball to ultimate frisbee. Last year, 20,952 students, faculty and others participated on IM teams.
When forming an exercise regimen, Herzog urges students not to go overboard.
"People often try to do too much, and either get burned out and stop or become compulsive about exercising," Herzog said.
She noted that students should not fret about a little weight gain. "Life expectancy has grown and changes in hormones, height and muscle mass no longer stop for men or women until their early 20s."
ROB GILMORE/Daily
Incoming University student Anna Lillywhite enjoys a sandwich at The Brown Jug. Exercise can help to combat the effects of college students' eating habits.