When freshmen head off to college, they have so many things to worry about: homesickness, making new friends, finding their way around campus, and learning to share their personal space with a roommate.

The first year in college can be overwhelming and stressful. Some students choose to deal with it by overeating.

As a result, many college freshmen tend to gain weight during their first year away from home.

These extra unwanted pounds are known as the “Freshman 15.”

Although no one is immune from experiencing the Freshman 15, it happens more often to girls than it does to boys.

According to Erica Dixon, a fitness and aerobics instructor at NCCU, there are reasons for this.

“Boys don’t go through it too much because they have testosterone, and they are more physically active than the girls are,” said Dixon.

“Boys like to run and play sports, but girls are more likely to eat unhealthy snacks in their dorm rooms all day without exercising.

“This is how the Freshman 15 starts.”

The Freshman 15 is the direct result of a poor diet and lack of exercise, and can lead to extreme obesity, increasing one’s risk of diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure.

“When I was a freshman, I was under a lot of stress and my eating habits were not that good,” said elementary education sophomore Keaundra Robinson.

“My jeans size went up a little bit, but it wasn’t too bad. I took a fitness class, and I think that was very helpful,” Robinson said.

“I see some of the girls on campus that started college the same time that I did, and I have noticed that a lot of them have gotten much bigger since freshman year.”

Of course there are exceptions to the Freshman 15 rule.

According to some NCCU students, the Freshman 15 is a little overstated.

“I actually lost weight last year when I first came to Central,” said elementary education sophomore ViAngela Roach.

“Some girls gained a few pounds, but I didn’t experience that at all. I was the opposite.”

The Freshman 15 may be alive and well, but luckily there are simple things that college freshman can do to prevent it from happening to them.

Dixon recommends walking or jogging around the track.

“Cardio is extremely important,” she said.

“They can also work out at the gym in the Walker Complex . . . take one of the aerobics classes that are offered here on campus,”