Freshman 15: Is there any truth to the myth? Although proof was difficult to find, many students at Harding claimed that, during their freshman year, they gained someweight. This phenomenon has commonly been called the "freshman 15." Some blame it on the food in the cafeteria and others on the change of habits with respect to what they ate at home. Senior Stephanie Citty said she gained 10 pounds during her freshman yea r. "I think the food in the cafeteria and student center made me gain weight," she said. Citty said she feels fine with herself right now. "I try to eat better now;" she said. "Since I live in Searcy Hall I have the chance to cook my own food at least twice a day," she said. Citty said that it was more the quality of the food in the cafeteria than quantity. "My freshman year I really didn 't overeat; it was actually the unhealthy food. " Sophomore Hiroko Okamoto, from Japan, also gained around 10 pounds during herfreshman year. "First ofall , the food I started eating here is the opposite of what I usually eat in Japan, " she said. Another fact for freshmen is the change of activities. "The nervousness of being a new student made me eat every second," Okamoto said. "If! was depressed, happy or mad, I used to eat." When they go home, some of the students lose the weight they gained. "I lost every pound I gained," Okamoto said. "My habits at home during the summer Jamie Callicott - Richardson,Texas Melissa Calvin - Missouri City, Texas April Campbell - Chula Vis ta , Calif. Amanda Campos - San Salvador, El Sal\'ador Rob Carris - Livonia, Mich. Nick Carter -Colorado Springs, Colo. Jennie Casebolt - Valley Centtr, Kan. Michael Chaffin - Norcross, Ca. Jared Chance - Searcy. Ark. Drew Chandler - Keller,Texas John Chesshir - CrNs Pla ins, Texas Eric Chin - West Nonroe, La. Rachel Chitwood - Derby, Kan. Kimberly Christian - Fayetteville, Ark. Valerie Christian - Arnold,Mo. Daniel Clark - Cushing, Texas Emily Clevenger - Nashville, Tenn. Jeremy Cochran - Hendersonville, N.C. ... 92 PEOPLE were healthy again. It was frustrating to notice it in my clothes, but now I try to work on it by playing tennis and getting my mind peaceful, so I won't eat like crazy. " Sophomore Evelyn Quinonezsaid she never struggled with her weight before she came to Harding. "Back home I used to eat and eat, and Iwas always skinny, but the change of food and habits made my metabolism change, too," she said. Quinonez said that the food she eats at home is healthy and completely made by her mom. "In my house, I eat vegetables, rice, meat, fruit and so on, and that is healthier than what we have in the cafeteria," Quinonez said. Students agreed that the quality of the food in the cafeteria was not too good. "Here the food is very greasy and fattening, andwe don't havemany things to pick from, like there 's not a lot ofvegetables or variety offruits," she said. "I miss the food from my house but I should not complain too much," she said. Quinonez lived in the dorms; therefore she had to eat in the cafeteria two or three times a day. "If I can't help going to eat to the cafeteria, at least I try to exercise four days a week," she said. "That way I don 't feel so bad and I won't get so frustrated. My freshman year I gained 10 pounds and I haven't lost them. I just hope that I don 't gain any weight again." - Julieta Gil A long line winds down the hall outside the cafeteria at lunch time. Many students attribute their weight gain their freshman year to the limited choices ofhealthy food in the cafeteria. Others blame it on busy schedules and lack of time to exercise.
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