By Toma Lynn Smith

“I’ve never even heard of ‘Freshman 15,'” said William Roy, a freshman nursing major.

It is a term used to describe the potential of weight gain for a college student during their first year, said Karen S. Newton, Director of Health Promotion and Education with the University of Louisville Campus Health Services.

Author and registered dietician Ann Selkowitz Litt stated in her book, “The College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus,” that there are three factors that contribute to this: irregular schedule, too many alcoholic beverages and constant access to food like vending machines, late night pizza ordering and the availability of fast food.

Students can combat this.

Personal training director Zach Heaton at Louisville South’s Gold’s Gym said staying physically active, working out regularly and practicing healthy eating habits can help.

Fast food places are not to blame for lack of food choices.

Many of these are made by a student’s unwillingness to expand his or her options.

For example, at McDonald’s, students can order the grilled instead of the crispy chicken, with little or no condiments.

Melissa Pompa, Senior Director of Chartwells Dining Service (who provides the eating facilities on Belknap campus), said students have alternatives.

Chartwells has several concepts to choose from, which include their own brands such as Halftime Grill and brand names like Subway.

According to Pompa, a student will often choose what is familiar and fast to them.

Why wait for a protein and veggie filled burrito at Baja Flats, when Wendy’s has a menu that is cheap as well as familiar to the student?

Pompa said there are healthy choices at all their eateries, brand names included.

Students just have to pick them.

Chartwells has implemented a new health, nutrition and wellness program called “Balanced Choices.”

Part of this is an icon system that marks menu items tailored to a student’s dietary needs.

Icons range from “Vegan” to “Carb Control” selection.

There are pocket guides and other literature available in front of the Terrace Food Court and the Dining Service office, both located in the Student Activity Center on the second floor.

Additionally, the Web site http://www.dineoncampus.com/louisville, has the link “Total Health” which includes creating a personal health journal.

“Taking stock of what you eat and when will help you track your progress and pinpoint areas where you can improve,” stated registered dietician Elizabeth Somer in the article, “College freshmen can avoid the ‘Freshman 15.'”

Food is only part of the battle.

Exercise is necessary to avoid those extra pounds.

U of L marching band member Adrienne Roos, a freshman music education major, gets her exercise through her band activities.

She said her friends who are overweight have a tendency to engage in sedentary activity (like sitting in front of the computer).

Newton said recent studies have shown how society is becoming increasingly less active.

However, college students can change how active they are.

For example, they can talk to a friend face-to-face instead of emailing them or walk into a restaurant instead of going through the drive-thru.

Freshman nursing major Amy Bryant said she takes a long stroll from her residence hall to her classes, which could help manage her weight.

Although that is moving the body, brisk walking is more beneficial, said Newton, and doing it 20 to 30 minutes four to five times a week would be ideal.

But these tasks have to be individualized.

What’s good for “Joe College” will not suffice for senior quarterback Brian Brohm,

To help with the time constraints many students face, Heaton recommends rigorous activity such as aerobic exercise two to three times a week for an hour at a time.

Take advantage of the resources on campus, Heaton said, for instance, by making an appointment with Newton for nutritional guidance or Debby Woodall, assistant fitness center director at the Health Science Center.

U of L offers personal fitness assessments and a variety of exercise classes for a nominal fee each semester through the Intramural Sports Department.

Go to the Student Activities Center’s gym, Heaton said.

U of L has other facilities in which to exercise as well, including the Humana Gym located on Bradley Avenue behind University Park Apartments.

Also available to students is the swimming facility, Ralph R. Wright Natatorium near McDonald’s.

Taking action for health’s sake can decrease one’s chances of getting the’Freshman 15.’

Going from mom’s home cooking, dinner at 7 p.m. and full days Monday through Friday in high school to college algebra at 8 a.m. and public speaking at noon, while grabbing a bite whenever possible, can be a jolt to the system.

Newton said any transition can be responded to by a change of habits, particularly how one eats.

But the key is to respond positively not negatively.

Some students lose weight as a result of this collegiate challenge, but more gain. How much they gain is up to the student.