Students who have packed on the pounds since going to college should be aware that rapid weight gain can be just as harmful as being overweight.

Just like weight loss, an individual should not gain an excessive amount of weight in a week because of the impact it can have on the heart, said Kim Sredojevic, a former nutrition intern with the Office of Campus Recreation.

“Weight gain obviously contributes to being overweight,” she said. “However, weight gain is not a bad thing unless it becomes uncontrollable and can compromise an individual’s health.”

Weight fluctuates daily from about one to five pounds due to fluid shifts, so unless it becomes a steady increase from week to week, weight gain should not be a concern.

When weight gain does become consistent, an individual should take notice because of the long-term effects and complications it can have on the body, such as diabetes and heart disease.

It is important to take note of unintentional weight gain and to recognize any lifestyle changes that may have occurred which could have contributed to the added weight, Sredojevic said.

For students gaining weight, re-evaluating lifestyle choices, such as physical activity intake and eating habits, is important.

“I would recommend starting reading food labels for calories and fat,” Sredojevic said. “The average individual requires approximately 2,000 calories a day, taking into account physical-activity level. I would tell them to focus on consuming fruits and vegetables, cooking methods and portion sizes in order to better manage weight gain.”