Stay active, avoid college weight gain

The Freshman 5

While girls are more likely to gain weight than guys because they tend to eat more junk food, the site says, the average weight gain is about 5 pounds.

However, both sexes can fall prey to a new lifestyle that comes with the freedom of being away from home and being able to eat and drink whatever they want.

The Web site lists a few factors that make students susceptible to weight gain. They are:

lack of exercise, particularly for students used to playing high school sports and being active;

eating late at night;

keeping unhealthy snacks in the dorm room and eating unhealthy cafeteria food; and

drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits such as late-night junk foods.

The site recommends that students add daily exercise to their schedules from the first day at school, avoid heavy drinking and choose healthy options in the cafeteria.