By DAVID MURIMI

Staff Writer

For students who have experienced late nights of studying and have felt increased levels of stress, there is a healthier solution to late night fast food.

Students away from home should be warned that unhealthy eating can result in the "Freshman 15."

There is nothing students can do about it.

Or is there?

"Students make a shift from being dependent on their parents to themselves, their schedules change and so do their eating habits," Ashley Powell, a graduate student of nutrition and dietetics, said.

Hollie Best, retail operations manager, said exercise is the number one thing to maintaining students' physical activity. It keeps their metabolism going -- and is a stress relief avenue.

According to Facts and Fantasies About Weight Gain in College Women, the "Freshman 15" refers to the popular belief that college students, particularly women, gain an average of 15 pounds during their first year of college.

This weight gain is typically attributed to the newfound freedom and accompanying stress associated with the transition to college life.

"Females seem to complain about it more, but weight gain is increasing in all genders, race and age," Dr. Alice Hunt, a professor of nutrition and dietetics, said.

Hunt said, in her opinion, gender, race or age has nothing to do with weight gain.

Hunt said when teachers tell students to lose weight, their eating patterns and activity need to change.

"It's a reverse for weight gain. Students are exposed to food of a different nature and the food choices are so many," Hunt said.

"Students tend to eat more than they should."

Best said the cafeteria offers plenty of choices, but it is up to the student to pick the healthiest one.

"When students walk into a place like the cafeteria, they should have the mindset of you care to eat, not all you can eat," Best said.

Now the question is, how can a student lose the excess fat and control his or her weight?

Hunt said the first step is awareness. She said it is important to have the students see what could happen if they keep eating unhealthy foods.

Hunt said students need to be diligent about weight loss and be careful about how much and what types of food they eat.

"The three most important ways to change your eating habits and shed pounds are wise food choices, exercise and trying to continue the same physical activity you had in high school," Best said.

Powell said if a student goes to McDonald's, for example, they should order a burger without fries.

"Cooking your own meals is a good idea and is cheaper and healthier," Powell said.

Best said being smart on food choices makes a big impact on maintaining students' weight.

"Your snacks should be healthier like fresh fruits instead of Cokes and Icees when studying late at night or [when you] crave something sweet," Best said.

Powell also recommends exercising at least an hour a day.

Hunt said, "Have a conscious effort to use the school's resources like the [Maxie] Lambright [Intramural Sports Center] and have some form of physical activity."