Rob Geis, a current student, explains, “A student is not responsible for unwanted weight gain. It's the college meal plans that cause weight gain. Many colleges require incoming freshmen to follow a meal plan” (Geis). Parents like meal plans because they know their child is getting meals every day, but the plan has its drawbacks. Geis estimates that many students don't eat three meals a day. “If we don't eat every meal we're given, we're wasting the money that went into purchasing the meal plan. So it’s either gaining weight or wasting money” (Geis). This could upset the student's family. Parents may reduce the student's meal plan for the following year, which would cause the student to eat less. The student may then have an unhealthy weight. This could cause tension between the student and their family. Students face physical and mental challenges and need strategies to optimize their health. There are many aspects to the overall health of a college student. A student's physical health plays a major role in their health. First, according to Malinauskas et al., "the 'Freshman Fifteen' could be considered an epidemic." In a recent study conducted by Jung et al. and Whyshak explain that 90% of students have heard of the “Freshman Fifteen” (cited in Carithers-Thomas et al.). A student can maintain a healthy weight if he or she knows this knowledge. Additionally, a student can help their friends maintain a healthy weight; possibly, reduce the average weight gained in college. In another study by Graham and Jones, they report that 59% of freshmen gain weight during their first year of college (cited in Carithers-Thomas et al.). This could lead a student to...... middle of article......g/ehost/detail?sid=5fa0dcd2-8360-492c-9f47-06bd2115521b%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=121&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d %3d #db=aph&AN=51456646>.Merianos, Ashley et al. “The impact of self-esteem and social support on the mental health of students.” American Journal of Health Studies. EBSCOhost, October 2013. Web. March 19, 2014. .Dineley, Johnson. “College Health 101: How to Stay Healthy on Campus.” The health of the nation. EBSCOhost, nd Web. March 18, 2014. .Orender, Michael. Interview via instant messaging. April 23. 2014.