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Cited by 242Health and Lifestyle StudiesObesity, Physical Activity, DietNutrition, Health and Food Behavior

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 28 of the 28 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Changes in Body Weight and Fat Mass of Men and Women in the First Year of College: A Study of the "Freshman 15"

Hoffman, Daniel J., Policastro, Peggy, Quick, Virginia, Lee, Soo-Kyung·2006·Journal of American College Health
DOI 10.3200/jach.55.1.41-46
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Abstract

Students entering their first year of college are faced with many stresses and changes, including changes in eating and exercise behavior. A common but often undocumented myth among college students is that there is a high risk of gaining 15 pounds of weight during freshman year. The objective of this study was to measure changes in body weight and percentage of body fat among first-year college students. Using a digital scale with bio-electrical impedance, the authors measured height, weight, and percentage of body fat for a sample of students who volunteered to be weighed during a health assessment in the university dining halls. The authors sent e-mails inviting those same students to complete a second measurement in February of the academic year. Sixty-seven of the 217 students who volunteered for the health assessment agreed to undergo a second set of measurements in the spring. The mean change in body weight was 2.86 pounds (1.3 kg, SD = 4.0 kg), and the mean change in percentage of body fat was 0.7% (SD = 4.0%). For those students who gained weight only, the mean increase in body weight (as measured by body mass index, weight divided by height in kg/m2) was 6.82 pounds (3.1 +/- 2.4 kg) and percentage of body fat was 0.9 +/- 3.8%. The authors found that the first year of college is a period in which weight and fat gain may occur. The exact causes behind these changes are unclear and warrant further research to plan or improve intervention and prevention.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Jensen MD. Medical management of obesity. Semin Gastrointest Dis. 1998;9:156-162.
  2. Fulton JE, McGuire MT, Casperson CJ, Dietz WH. Interventions for weight loss and weight gain prevention among youth: current issues. Sports Med. 2001;31:153-165.
  3. Wing RR, Hill JO. Successful weight loss maintenance. Annu Rev Nutr. 2001;21:323-341.

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Metadata

Authors
Hoffman, D. J., Policastro, P., Quick, V., & Lee, S.-K.
Affiliations
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of American College Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2006-07
Volume
55
Issue
1
Pages
41-46
ISSN
  • 0164-4300 (ISSN-L)
  • 0744-8481
  • 1940-3208
DOI
10.3200/jach.55.1.41-46
OpenAlex
W2044550541
Cited by
242
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 22
FWCI
27.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of American College Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › 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
Freshman 15, weight gain, body fat percentage, first-year college students, body mass index, dietary habits, exercise behavior, gender differences, weight gain prevention
MeSH terms
Adult, Anthropometry, Female, Humans, Male, New Jersey, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Universities, Weight Gain, Body Fat Distribution

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