title: Changes in weight and health behaviors from freshman through senior year of college.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess weight changes, exercise and diet behaviors among college students from the beginning of freshman year until the end of senior year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private university in St. Louis, Missouri.
  
  
  METHODS
  College students (138 females, 66 males).
  
  
  METHODS
  Weight and height were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and exercise and dietary behaviors were assessed by questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in weight, BMI, exercise, and dietary patterns from the beginning of freshman year to the end of senior year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Females gained 1.7 +/- 4.5 kg (3.75 +/- 9.92 lb) [mean +/- SD] from freshman to senior year, and males gained 4.2 +/- 6.4 kg (9.26 +/- 14.11 lb) (both P < .001). Weight changes were highly variable between students, however, ranging from -13.2 kg to +20.9 kg (-29.10 to +46.08 lb).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight gain was common but variable among college students. Importantly, exercise and dietary patterns did not meet the recommended guidelines for many college students, which may have long-term health implications.
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108-2212, USA. racettes@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Racette
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Deusinger
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Strube
authors.forename: Gabrielle R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Highstein
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Deusinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology