What is the Freshman 15 and is it real? Statistics show that there may be some truth to the unwanted weight gain for students in their first year of college.  Weight gain often results from overeating.  At university, students are faced with more variety as well as the option for larger portions. Team that up with the stress of a new environment and new friends and the risk for weight gain increases. 

Why does this happen? There are a number of reasons that contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Skipping of meals
2. Increase in alcohol intake
   
3. Consumption of calorie rich food
4. Lack of sleep
5. Increased level of stress
6. Larger portions
   

What can you do to avoid the Freshman 15? Click here for Gannett's Health Center's tips an the freshman fifteen.