The "Freshman 15" is Shedding Pounds!

Researchers at Rutgers' Department of Nutritional Science weighed 67 freshmen student volunteers in early September and again in late April.They observed that the average weight gain was around seven pounds, not 15.

A previous study conducted at Tufts University found that the average weight gain was six pounds for freshman males and 4.5 pounds for freshman females.

While first year college weight gain is still an issue, the decreased poundage in first-year students could be seen as one result of the efforts made by college and university foodservice professionals to create more healthful communities for students, faculty and staff.

The results of the study will be published in the Journal of American College Health this spring.