'Freshman 15' May Be More Like 'Freshman 5'
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080601092201.htm
ScienceDaily (June 2, 2008) — The "Freshman 15," the notion that students gain 15 pounds during their first year of college, may overstate students' actual weight gain, according to researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada. In a sample of 116 first-year female students, the average weight gain was 5.29 pounds.
While the students reported gaining less weight than the "Freshman 15," the researchers point out: "It is important to recognize that the increase of 5.29 lbs. occurred over a period of just six to seven months...Weight gain at this rate over an extended period of time could lead to overweight/obesity and is certainly cause for concern."
The students completed a dietary assessment using diet and lifestyle questions adapted from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (Canada) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
The study found students reported increases in their body mass index from an average of 22.3 to 23.1; average percent body fat went from 23.8 to 25.6; and average waist circumference increased from 30.27 to 31.25 inches.
The proportion of participants with BMI measurements classified as either normal or underweight decreased from 79 to 75 percent and from eight to six percent, respectively. The proportion of students who were classified as overweight (BMI above 25) increased from 15 percent to 22 percent, while those who were obese (BMI at or above 30) remained constant at 3 percent.
Adapted from materials provided by American Dietetic Association, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
ScienceDaily (June 2, 2008) — The "Freshman 15," the notion that students gain 15 pounds during their first year of college, may overstate students' actual weight gain, according to researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada. In a sample of 116 first-year female students, the average weight gain was 5.29 pounds.
While the students reported gaining less weight than the "Freshman 15," the researchers point out: "It is important to recognize that the increase of 5.29 lbs. occurred over a period of just six to seven months...Weight gain at this rate over an extended period of time could lead to overweight/obesity and is certainly cause for concern."
The students completed a dietary assessment using diet and lifestyle questions adapted from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (Canada) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
The study found students reported increases in their body mass index from an average of 22.3 to 23.1; average percent body fat went from 23.8 to 25.6; and average waist circumference increased from 30.27 to 31.25 inches.
The proportion of participants with BMI measurements classified as either normal or underweight decreased from 79 to 75 percent and from eight to six percent, respectively. The proportion of students who were classified as overweight (BMI above 25) increased from 15 percent to 22 percent, while those who were obese (BMI at or above 30) remained constant at 3 percent.
Adapted from materials provided by American Dietetic Association, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tyler Vaivada on -
It's nice to establish the fact that the 15 doesn't need to happen : \
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Permalink Reply by Nevena on -
Studies can prove or disprove nearly anything.. I've read articles that suggest that the Freshman 15 is very real, and that five pounds is more like the minimal weight gain. Then again, I suppose that results depend on geographic location, specific university/college, whether students live on or off campus, and the quality of the food being served (among other factors).
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Permalink Reply by Guru on -
Agreed, for any study that proves something, its always good to check if there is another study that disproves it, and vice versa.
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