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Cited by 577Health and Lifestyle StudiesObesity, Physical Activity, DietNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Weight Changes, Exercise, and Dietary Patterns During Freshman and Sophomore Years of College

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Racette, Susan B, Deusinger, Susan S, Strube, Michael J, Highstein, Gabrielle R, Deusinger, Robert H·2005·Journal of American College Health
DOI 10.3200/jach.53.6.245-251
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Abstract

Weight gain and behavioral patterns during college may contribute to overweight and obesity in adulthood. The aims of this study were to assess weight, exercise, and dietary patterns of 764 college students (53% women, 47% men) during freshman and sophomore years. Students had their weight and height measured and completed questionnaires about their recent exercise and dietary patterns. At the beginning of freshman year, 29% of students reported not exercising, 70% ate fewer than 5 fruits and vegetables daily, and more than 50% ate fried or high-fat fast foods at least 3 times during the previous week. By the end of their sophomore year, 70% of the 290 students who were reassessed had gained weight (4.1+/-3.6 kg, p < .001), but there was no apparent association with exercise or dietary patterns. Future research is needed to assess the contributions of fat, muscle, and bone mass to observed weight gain and to determine the health implications of these findings.

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  • The widespread campus perception that freshman students gain an average of 15 pounds (6.8 kg) during their first year of study appears little more than a myth.

    “While the widespread campus perception that freshman students gain an average of 15 pounds (6.8 kg) during their first year of study appears little more than a myth”

    From The effect of the Thanksgiving Holiday on weight gain (2006) · cites this paper as [8]

  • Recent studies have reported weight gains during the freshman year of college of 1.3 kg (Hoffman et al. 2006), 2.5 kg (Racette et al. 2005) and 1.1 kg (Morrow et al. 2006).

    “recent studies have still reported weight gains of 1.3 kg (Hoffman et al. 2006), 2.5 kg (Racette et al. 2005) and 1.1 kg (Morrow et al. 2006) [7-9].”

    From The effect of the Thanksgiving Holiday on weight gain (2006) · cites this paper as [8]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance: National College Health Risk Behavior Survey-United States, 1995. MMWR CDC Sur- veill Summ. 1997;46:156.
  2. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Fat, Protein and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2002.

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Authors
Racette, S. B., Deusinger, S. S., Strube, M. J., Highstein, G. R., & Deusinger, R. H.
Affiliations
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
ORCID
Racette, Susan B
Venue
Journal of American College Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2005-05-01
Volume
53
Issue
6
Pages
245-251
ISSN
  • 0164-4300 (ISSN-L)
  • 0744-8481
  • 1940-3208
DOI
10.3200/jach.53.6.245-251
OpenAlex
W2056156622
Cited by
577
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 46 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 39
FWCI
34.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of American College Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Lifestyle Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
Keywords
weight gain, university students, exercise patterns, dietary habits, fast food consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, overweight, obesity, freshman year, sophomore year, body composition
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Weight, Feeding Behavior, Female, Food Preferences, Humans, Life Style, Male, Missouri, Surveys and Questionnaires, Students, Weight Gain, Exercise, Body Mass Index

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