A Prospective Study of Weight Gain During the College Freshman and Sophomore Years

Overview

Journal Prev Med

Specialty Public Health

Date 2009 Jan 17

PMID 19146870

Citations 53

Authors

Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson

Steffani Bailey

Joseph L Fava

Rena Wing

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of weight gain among male and female college freshmen.

Methods: Study 1 examined weight change over freshman and sophomore years among 904 students attending a state university in Indiana, from 2002-2004. Study 2 examined weight and BMI change over the freshman year among 382 students attending a private university in Rhode Island, from 2004-2006.

Results: 77% of Study 1 participants and 70% of Study 2 participants gained weight during their freshman year, largely during the first semester. In Study 1, weight gain averaged 3.5 kg in females and males; in Study 2, weight gain averaged 1.6 kg for females and 2.5 kg for males. Students continued to gain weight their sophomore year, with females 4.2 kg and males 4.3 kg heavier than at start of college. Overweight/obesity rates increased from baseline to end of freshman year for Study 1 (21.6% to 36%) and Study 2 participants (14.7% to 17.8%).

Conclusion: The first years of college may be a critical developmental window for establishing weight gain prevention efforts.

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