A prospective study of weight gain during the college freshman and sophomore years

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of weight gain among male and female college freshmen.

Methods: Study 1 examined weight change over freshman and sophomore years among 904 students attending a state university in Indiana, from 2002-2004. Study 2 examined weight and BMI change over the freshman year among 382 students attending a private university in Rhode Island, from 2004-2006.

Results: 77% of Study 1 participants and 70% of Study 2 participants gained weight during their freshman year, largely during the first semester. In Study 1, weight gain averaged 3.5 kg in females and males; in Study 2, weight gain averaged 1.6 kg for females and 2.5 kg for males. Students continued to gain weight their sophomore year, with females 4.2 kg and males 4.3 kg heavier than at start of college. Overweight/obesity rates increased from baseline to end of freshman year for Study 1 (21.6% to 36%) and Study 2 participants (14.7% to 17.8%).

Conclusion: The first years of college may be a critical developmental window for establishing weight gain prevention efforts.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Study 1 and Study 2 mean weights (kg) students over their college freshman year, by sex. All Study 1 time points are based on measured weight data, with the exception of baseline (September), which was self-reported (and adjusted by 0.5 kg). All Study 2 points are based upon measured weight data. Study 1 conducted in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA from September 2002 through May 2004; Study 2 conducted in Providence, Rhode Island, USA from September 2004 through May 2006.

Figure 2

Study 1 “Public University” - Distribution of student weight changes from beginning to end of freshman and sophomore years. *Results of those with complete data at baseline (September) and end-of-freshman-year (May-freshman) (n = 372). **Results of those with complete data at baseline (September) and end-of-sophomore-year (May-sophomore) (n = 490). Study 1 conducted in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA from September 2002 through May 2004.

Figure 3

Study 2 “Private University” - Distribution of student weight changes from beginning to end of freshman year. Results of those with complete data at baseline (September) and end-of-freshman-year (May) (n = 346). Study 2 conducted in Providence, Rhode Island, USA from September 2004 through May 2006.