Abstract
Objective
To examine the weight trajectory of students over 4 years of college.
Methods
Anthropometric assessments were completed at the beginning and end of students' freshman
year and the end of senior year to calculate body mass index. Questionnaires assessing
weight-related behaviors were completed in senior year.
Results
Of the original 117 students, 86 remained in the study for 4 years. Body mass index
was significantly higher at the end of senior year (mean, 24.84; SD, 4.46) vs the
beginning of freshman year (mean, 23.59; SD, 4.01; t[85] = 5.61; P < .001). Weight was significantly higher at the end of senior year (mean, 71.32 kg;
SD, 15.60) vs the beginning of freshman year (mean, 66.94 kg; SD, 14.02; t[85] = 6.60; P < .001). Students' mean weight gain was 4.38 kg and the sample increased from 23%
to 41% overweight/obese. No significant associations were found between BMI and lifestyle
factors.
Conclusions and Implications
This study suggests that students gain weight throughout college, which highlights
the need for weight control interventions to target more than just freshman college
students.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 03, 2016
Accepted:
October 19,
2016
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The authors' conflict of interest disclosures can be found online with this article on www.jneb.org.
Identification
Copyright
©2016 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
