New research shows that first-years may gain weight, but not nearly as much as the 15 pounds pop culture insists on.
‘Freshman 15’ is the term given to the belief that students gain up to 15 pounds during their first year of university. The dreaded term has long loomed over students starting university, but emerging trends suggest that the myth may be exaggerated.
First used by Seventeen magazine in ’89, the phrase ‘Freshman 15’ gained traction throughout the ’90s, popularized through media outlets, magazine articles, and even books, such as Dorm Room Diet by Daphne Oz.
According to a recent study published in the Gut Microbes Journal, approximately 70 per cent of first-year students either don’t notice a visible change in their weight, health habits, or only gain an average of one to two kilograms.
In an interview with The Journal, Heather Fraser, ArtSci ’29, shared her sentiments about the phenomenon. “I was intimidated by the idea of [‘Freshman 15’] before I got here. Sometimes it’s hard to find healthy options at the dining halls on campus, especially when I don’t have time to eat,” Fraser said.
However, Fraser explains that, after experiencing student life on campus, her worries have subsided. “Since being here on campus, I’ve been walking so much, it’s not really something that bothers me.”
In conversation with The Journal, Vani Nayyar and Aditi Baroliya, both ArtSci ’28, reflect on the impact of ‘Freshman 15’ in their first year.
“I first heard about the term on TikTok during the summer before I came to Queen’s,” Nayyar said. “There’s some pressure to conform to the beauty norms on campus, especially when you’re trying to fit into a new environment. During fall semester, I felt that I needed to achieve a certain physical standard to avoid that feeling,” Baroliya added.
A 2014 study in the European Journal of Public Health analyzed the results of 22 different studies about first-year student weight gain, and still, the average weight gain was approximately three pounds.
None of the conclusions from studies considered have come close to the legendary 15 pounds.
Researchers attribute the modest weight gain to a myriad of factors: reduced physical activity compared to high school sports, irregular meal schedules, and access to a new buffet-style dining hall. However, experts warn against sensationalizing the number on the scale.
For most students, body weight stabilizes after the first semester, with lifestyle changes—such as joining intramural sports—counterbalancing the initial bump.
The persistence of the ‘Freshman 15’ myth over the years raises questions about body image, diet culture, and mental health among young adults.
What lingers, however, is the importance of redefining health—not as a number on the scale, but as a balance between body, mind, and community.
Tags
first year, Healthy eating, weight
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