NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Future college students rejoice! Study findings suggest that college freshmen are not destined to pack on an extra 15 pounds their first year at school.

The notorious weight gain phenomenon known as the "Freshman 15" is nothing more than a myth, according to Dr. Melody A. Graham and co-author Amy L. Jones of Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In their investigation, 49 college freshmen filled out questionnaires and had their weight and body fat measured at the beginning and the end of their first year at college.

"The data in this study provide additional evidence that the Freshman 15 is a myth," the authors report in a recent issue of the Journal of American College Health.

"Whereas 59% of the (students) did gain weight, the average amount they gained was only 4.6 pounds, and 36% of the (students) actually lost weight during their first year of college. In addition, body fat did not change during that year," the report indicates.

Interestingly, the investigation revealed that those students who were most concerned about the Freshman 15 were also the ones who believed that they had gained the most weight.

Graham and Jones note that the notion that freshmen are apt to put on 15 pounds their first year away from home may actually be harmful.

Such a strongly held belief may actually become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Students who believe they are doomed to pack on the pounds may overeat, in much the same way that the stereotype that all college students drink alcohol can encourage drinking, the authors point out.

Previous research has shown that such notions about alcohol intake may actually promote an increase in alcohol consumption on campuses, they explain.

SOURCE: Journal of American College Health 2002;50:171-173.

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