More info...Background:
The freshmen year of college is likely a critical period for risk of weight gain among young-adults.
Methods:
A longitudinal observational study was conducted to examine changes in weight, dietary intake, and other health-related behaviors among first-year college students (n=186) attending a public University in the western United States. Weight was measured at the beginning and end of fall semester (August - December 2005). Participants completed surveys about dietary intake, physical activity and other health-related behaviors during the last six months of high school (January - June 2005) in August 2005 and during their first semester of college (August - December 2005) in December 2005.
Results:
159 students (n=102 women, 57 men) completed both assessments. The average BMI at the baseline assessment was 23.0 (standard deviation (SD) 3.8). Although the average amount of weight gained during the 15-week study was modest (1.5 kg), 23% of participants gained greater than or equal to 5% of their baseline body weight. Average weight gain among those who gained greater than or equal to 5% of baseline body weight was 4.5 kg. Those who gained greater than or equal to 5% of body weight reported less physical activity during college than high school, were more