Obesity is certainly a problem these days, whether it is childhood or even the older generation. However, we tend to focus more on childhood obesity than that of our own age group. It is fairly obvious why people of our age, from eighteen to twenty five or more, tend to maybe gain a few pounds here and there. This reason is college.
Many people, me included, usually need to take some comfort in that bowl of ice cream when I completed a paper or just because I got through another day. Now that I am a senior in college and been in this environment for many years, I am not surprised at the so called phenomenon of the ‘freshman fifteen’.
Of course, I am of bias opinion; I actually commute to school and did not have any sort of ‘freshman fifteen’ happen to me. However, I do know that feeling of being too busy and exhausted to partake in any sort of exercise. When I get home from classes or work, the last thing I have the energy for is exercise. Even a person like me, who finds a nice run a good time to relax your mind and free yourself of some frustration, to actually have the energy to make myself do so takes a lot of ‘mind over body’ willpower.
Although every college has an athletic center that is open to any and all students, it is fairly obvious that some people do not use them. This is not surprising due to the fact that most people are probably exhausted or too busy to waste time on the treadmill. No doubt the ‘freshman fifteen’ is the eventual effect of this phenomenon, the actual state of college food aside.
Gaining weight in college is one of the most common effects of the entire process. Not having time to get exercise done, finding some comfort in food while worrying about the two fifteen page papers that are hanging over your head. Food is one of the simple things you are still able to relax and enjoy.
No doubt that being able to get back to a healthy state will not occur until after college and it will not be easy to overcome such obstacles. In the meantime, maybe you can walk the long way to class and get some skim milk in that morning coffee. It does not have to be a big change to stay healthy and feel well, just the little things here and there can make you feel better.
I do have to agree that many of the college students are a few pound overweight. You have concentrated on a good age group, because we are soon to enter the work field, and in a few years start families. This generation needs to work towards a healthy lifestyle. If not they will become part of those battling diabetes and high cholesterol.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you are suggesting skim milk over whole, but we should remember portion control. Walking up the hill in the morning, I see people with 32 oz coffee cups. This is far less than the average serving size.
When you open by saying, "This reason is college," you're guilty of observer bias. Since you're in college, you see college students. In fact, all 18 to 25 year olds gain weight, not just those in college.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say, "No doubt the ‘freshman fifteen’ is the eventual effect of this phenomenon", not only do you fail to provide any evidence, but also you are disagreeing with contemporary science. Obesity is primarily caused by excessive caloric intake, not diminished activity levels.
You are right, it takes excessive calorie intake to gain weight. As well as discussing the loss of activity, I state that a common aspect of this is due to resorting to food for "comfort". However, I appreciate you putting more emphasis on the calorie intake rather than the activity as contributing to the 'freshman fifteen'.
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