Change in diet, physical activity, and body weight among young-adults during the transition from high school to college.
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 > or = 5% of their baseline body weight. Average weight gain among those who gained > or = 5% of baseline body weight was 4.5 kg. Those who gained > or = 5% of body weight reported less physical activity during college than high school, were more likely to eat breakfast, and slept more than were those who did not gain > or = 5% of body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Almost one quarter of students gained a significant amount of weight during their first semester of college. This research provides further support for the implementation of education or other strategies aimed at helping young-adults entering college to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight.
Wengreen
Heidi J
HJ
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA. heidi.wengreen@usu.edu
Moncur
Cara
C
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult