title: Longitudinal changes in anthropometry and body composition in university freshmen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated predictors of weight gain in college freshmen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal cohort study followed a representative sample of freshmen (N = 264) from 8/2011 to 6/2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measurements of anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), physical activity, and diet were collected. We investigated predictors of 9-month weight gain using regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  172 participants completed follow-up: 75% gained >0.5 kg. Mean weight change was +2.3 kg (SD 3.2) and +2.0 kg (SD 3.2) and mean adiposity change was +1.3% (SD 1.6) and +0.7% (SD 2.2) in men and women, respectively. In participants gaining >0.5 kg, weight increased 5.6% and body fat increased 1.6%. Anthropometric change in men occurred in the first semester, while women increased in both semesters. Leaner DXA-defined body composition at baseline was consistently associated with greater weight gain (p-values 0.029-0.049).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Freshman weight gain is common and reflects increased adiposity. Leaner body composition at the beginning of college predicted greater weight gain in men and women during the first year of college.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca , NY , USA.|b Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology & Prevention Training Program, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Katie C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hootman
authors.affiliation: a Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca , NY , USA.|c School of Medicine , Public Health Sciences Population Health & Prevention Research Program, University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Guertin
authors.affiliation: a Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca , NY , USA.|d Department of Health Policy and Research , Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York , NY , USA.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cassano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Freshman weight; adiposity; body composition; cohort study; college weight gain