When I first got here to college I was extremely disappointed with the selection of food here in the cafeteria. I often found myself eating only burgers and pizza over and over again, simply because I didn't like the other choices. About four months into the school year I had to go to the doctor for a virus and when the nurse weighed me I was a little surprised by what I saw. I had gained just over ten pounds, pretty close to what some call the “Freshman 15.” It's a common fear among college students to gain fifteen pounds while adjusting to college life. However, experts said the idea of ​​the so-called “Freshman 15” is not that accurate. Of course, every college student isn't going to earn fifteen pounds. However, I believe it is possible and is a problem for many college students. University life completely changes the eating habits of university students. Most students don't make the right choices about nutrition and exercise. College students across the country engage in seriously unhealthy behaviors, and for some students the “Freshman 15” may be a reality. Experts studying the “Freshman 15” concept are deeply divided in their findings. Some downplay the importance of the freshman weight gain problem, basing their findings only on the average weight gain among college students. In a study conducted by the Journal of American College Health, it was found that of the 59% of students who gained weight, the average gain was only 4.6 pounds. They concluded their study by stating that they believed the Freshman 15 was a myth, based on that premise (Graham and Jones). The truth is that fifty-nine percent of the students studied gained weight, and not all students will gain exactly fifteen pounds. Other experts, however, believe that weight gain among college freshmen is a very serious problem. Certified dietitian Ann Selkowitz Litt recently wrote "The College Student's Guide to Eating Well on Campus," designed to help college students make the right food choices. In an online chat with several college students on the USA Today website, she stated that "College students are now getting the 'Freshman 20' or the 'Freshman 25.'" She attributes the growing problem to irregular eating habits, consumption of large amounts of alcohol... half of paper... State University. Graham, Melody, Amy Jones "Freshman 15: Valid Theory or Harmful Myth?" Journal of American College Health. Linder, Lawrence "Eating Well Freshman 15." WashingtonPost. 12 September 2000. USA Today 12 April 2003. Interview personal March 29, 2003. Somers, Elizabeth “College Freshman Can Avoid Freshman 15.” CNN Online August 19, 1999. March 20 2003.