Freshmen plan to avoid 'Mizzou 22'

An MU health educator advised paying attention to everything consumed.

By Elizabeth Rinehart

Published Sept. 1, 2009

In 1985, a team of Canadian doctors conducted a research project about weight gain during a student's first year at college. The study reported these students gained, on average, 8.8 pounds.

In 1989, an article was published in Seventeen Magazine about one student's weight gain during her first year of college. The magazine titled the article "Fight The Freshman 15!" and subsequently, coining the term "freshman 15."

"I am nervous about gaining the freshman 15," freshman Amanda McCutchen said. "But I plan on not having unhealthy snacks laying around my dorm."

Since the publication of the study, scientists have disputed how much weight is actually gained, if any at all. A report from the Journal of American College Health in 2005 stated an average weight gain of nine pounds, but another study from Auburn University in 2008 reported 1.9 pounds. Researchers agree students do tend to gain weight during their first year, though the amount of weight gained is unclear.

MU health educator Kim Webb said students might gain extra weight because there are many social opportunities, cafeteria style dining and late night studying, which might alter eating habits and contribute to greater calorie consumption. She said there's often less physical activity due to the increased social opportunities and the demands of studying.

At MU, which features buffet-style dining halls, weight gain is typically referred to as the Mizzou 22.

"I am a little worried about eating in the dining halls," freshman DeLyssa Allen said. "However, as long as you have self control, you should be alright."

Although she's new to MU, Allen says she's not anxious about weigh gain.

"I'm honestly not really worried about it," Allen said. "I've already come up with a plan to go to the Rec Center at least three times a week."

Like Allen, sophomore Kelly Regan said she wasn't really scared about gaining the freshman 15 during her first year but knew it wasn't something she wanted to experience.

"Making sure not to participate in fourth meal all the time is tough," Regan said. "Once in a while it's OK, but I make a point of not always being a part of the late night Taco Bell run."

Sophomore Erin Griffen said it was tough to resist some of the more unhealthy foods the dining halls had to offer.

"The hardest part for me was the ice cream at the dining halls because it is my favorite food ever, but my mom never kept it in the house," Griffen said. "I almost went a little crazy with it."

Webb advises an active lifestyle and a careful diet to avoid gaining weight during the school year.

"Prepare a colorful plate when eating, paying attention to getting a lot of fruits and vegetables and incorporate some fun physical activity into your regular schedule," Webb said.