Heed warning all college students – If you feel your thighs thickening or your love handles expanding, it’s possible you have been stricken by – at least part of – the freshman 15.

For many, gaining 15 pounds during their freshmen year is a “nightmare scenario” exaggeration, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

“I had the freshman 4,” said Charles Richards, junior in pre-business.

Richards ate burgers and Panda Express during his freshman year. He said he knew what he was putting in his stomach, yet continued eating.

“It’s terrible for you. That’s why you got to start working out,” Richards said.

Teresa Rizzo, freshman in psychology, is not worried about gaining weight. She believes balancing exercising, eating and drinking together will eliminate any weight problems. She isn’t thrilled about exercising, however.

“Walking to my classes are pretty much the extent I do,” Rizzo said. “We’ll wait two or three weeks and see if I get fat. If it becomes a problem, I might go to the rec center.”

Others are keeping an eye on what they consume so it doesn’t become a problem. Jonathan Beck, sophomore in music and first-year college student, was active in high school and still plans to eat healthy in college.

“Well, I went to the buffet [UDCC]

and had a field day the first night, but since then I’ve been eating less,” Beck said. “I try to eat healthy, like a burger with vegetables on it or sub sandwiches”

The freshman 15 myth may just be that. Judith Trumpy, assistant dinning services manager, believes the freshman 15 is a stretch.

“It is a fact, but it’s probably not 15 pounds. It’s more like 5 to 10 pounds,” Trumpy said.

She said sleep depravation is sometimes connected with weight problems.

“There’s a hormone called leptin, and while you sleep, the level of that hormone needs to raise in the body. When it doesn’t it leads to all sorts of hunger cues,” she said.

For those who are busy and think they’ll sweat off the weight, they may still need to consult the nutrition facts. Students who say they get enough exercise by walking around campus may be mislead, Trumpy said.

“People will say ‘I walk around campus all day,’ but it’s not enough to keep from gaining weight if you’re eating 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day,” Trumpy said.

Students can visit the Thielen Student Health Center and arrange for an hour-long initial appointment and a half-hour follow up to talk about healthy eating.

Stress is another factor that can lead to excessive eating. Amy Cantazaro, graduate student in psychology and stress management counselor, has tips for defeating the eating demon during studying and other stressful times.

“Trying to find a nice quiet place, away from your dorm and from the temptations, is always a help,” Cantazaro said.

She also finds this will make for good study habits and keep you from overeating.

“Try to find foods that will satisfy you but are also good for you,” she said. “Things high in protein will give you a lot of energy but [are] not necessarily bad for you.”