Gender, residence and ethnicity affect freshman BMI and dietary habits.
OBJECTIVE
To examine relationships between gender, ethnicity, and residency, with factors influencing weight gain in 756 multiethnic college freshmen.


METHODS
An online survey obtained participants' height and weight; consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meals; dieting and exercise patterns.


RESULTS
Ten percent of Asians were underweight; most lived off campus. Forty percent of Hispanics were overweight/obese; most lived on campus. After starting college, on-campus students decreased intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meal frequency; off-campus students decreased dairy and dinner frequency (P < 0.001). Few met dietary guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Moving to campus may contribute to weight gain in some ethnic groups.
Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging Department, San José State University, San José, CA 95192, USA. Marjorie.freedman@sjsu.edu
Marjorie R
MR
Freedman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002140:California; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult