title: Gender differences in freshmen weight gain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Predictors of first semester and year weight change by gender were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were 304 freshmen recruited over three years (September 2010, 2011, & 2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychosocial and lifestyle variables and weight were assessed at the beginning and end of the Fall semester and end of the Spring semester.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average weight gain over the year was 6.38 lbs for males versus 4.38 lbs for females. In the first semester, alcohol use was associated with weight gain among males. For females, higher levels of physical activity and lower BMI were associated with weight gain. At the end of the year, happiness was negatively associated with weight gain among males and physical activity positively associated with weight gain in females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol consumption in males and physical activity in females produced positive associations with weight gain with most of the weight gained during the first semester. This implies that efforts to prevent weight gain in college freshmen need to be tailored by gender and focus on first semester.
authors.affiliation: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 300 Pulteney Street, Department of Psychology, Gulick Hall, Geneva, NY 14456, United States. Electronic address: bodenlos@hws.edu.
authors.forename: Jamie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bodenlos
authors.affiliation: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 300 Pulteney Street, Department of Psychology, Gulick Hall, Geneva, NY 14456, United States. Electronic address: kara.gengarelly@hws.edu.
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gengarelly
authors.affiliation: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 300 Pulteney Street, Department of Psychology, Gulick Hall, Geneva, NY 14456, United States. Electronic address: Rachael.smith@hws.edu.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: College; Freshmen; Gender differences; Obesity; Weight gain