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VIENNA - If incoming freshmen at Ohio Valley University ever wonder what it would feel like to gain 15 pounds, just ask 16-year-old Sarah Bullock, a Girl Scout working to change the perceptions and unhealthy habits of college students.

During the OVU Student Expo Monday evening, the Parkersburg High School junior strapped five-pound bags full of frozen fat on the waists of OVU students to warn them against college weight gain.

One out of six college students gains 10 pounds or more during the first year of college, and about six percent gain 15 pounds, otherwise known as the "Freshman 15."

Bullock's presentation was among more than 40 booths set up by businesses, campus organizations and churches for the annual OVU student expo.

"I want to be a chef," said Bullock. "So when I started working on this project at the beginning of the summer, I knew I wanted to do something health related. My goal is to help college students stay healthy and not gain that extra weight."

Her project is a requirement to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. In 2008, about 5 percent of registered Girl Scouts in grades 10 to 12 earned the Gold Award. It is comparable to the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Award.

Bullock has been involved with Girl Scouts of America for 12 years. Originally from Texas, she moved to Vienna last year and became part of troop 1046.

"A lot of times, when Girl Scouts hit high school, they become disinterested in the group," she said. "But I've stuck with it. Girl Scouts has helped me mature, and it looks great on my resume."

Students lined up to read health information posted at Bullock's booth - everything from suggested serving sizes and healthy breakfast ideas to obesity rates and exercise tips. Some submitted themselves to be strapped with bags of frozen fat, supplied by North End Market.

"When I was preparing for this, I asked the butcher if he wouldn't mind setting aside 15 pounds of fat," said Bullock. "He thought it was an odd request, but he did it."

Bullock said her presentation on beating the "Freshman 15" was inspired by West Virginia having the third highest rate of adult obesity in the nation.

"Obesity is such an important issue, and my ultimate goal with this project is to shed some light on how to deal with the problem," she said.

Surveys containing questions about exercise, fad diets and healthy habits were available for OVU students to fill out. In exchange for filling out a survey, Bullock gave away pedometers.

"At the end of this expo, I'll look through the surveys and find out what some of the misconceptions are about healthy eating," Bullock said. "Since this (OVU) is where I want to go to college, I thought it was the perfect place for me to present my project."