Revisiting the freshman “15”: Assessing body mass index in the first college year and beyond

Nicoteri, Jo Ann L.; Miskovsky, Mary Jane

doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12108

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Our results also seem to be comparable to most findings in the US, as the American College and Health Association reported that 34.1% of college students are currently overweight or obese [20]. Similarly, Nicoteri and Miskovsky [21] found that 32% of students were overweight or obese at the end of the senior or graduate year. Although, this does not seem to be a consensus in the literature, because some studies, such as Gropper et al [14] and Racette, Deusinger, Strube, Highstein, and Deusinger [22] found that the percentage of overweight and obese students was lower, at 24% at the end of the junior year and 18% at the end of the sophomore year.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Lifestyle and Health Habits of a Canadian University Community

Busque¹,

Yao²,

Miquelon³

et al. 2017

JPAR

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In 2014, World Health Organization reported that more than 1.9 billion people were obese (World Health Organization, 2014). This epidemic is thought to cost $2 trillion globally every year (Dobbs et al., 2014). With the increase of the prevalence of obesity, there is a continuous search for effective obesity-prevention and health promotion strategies. In a Canadian university, Perusse-Lachance and colleagues (2010) showed that 22.9% of students and 37.3% of staff members were either overweight or obese. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of obesity, healthy lifestyle habits, and healthy environments among students and employees of a Canadian university. Respondents were students and employees during the 2016 fall semester (October). A web based-survey assessing lifestyle habits, such as physical activity and nutrition, was sent by email to all students (n = 15,000) and employees (n = 1,500). In total, 1,989 students (12.1%) and 484 employees (33.6%) completed the questionnaire. All data were analyzed using SPSS. Results showed that 32.7% of students and 44.5% of employees were overweight. Results also revealed that 55.2% of students and 44.9 % of employees were considered physically inactive. Regarding vegetables and fruit, 81.2% of students and 79.4% of employees did not meet the Canadian recommendations. The herein results suggest that overweight and obesity can be important concerns in a welleducated sample and they can be associated with various health-related behaviors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Lifestyle and Health Habits of a Canadian University Community

Busque¹,

Yao²,

Miquelon³

et al. 2017

JPAR

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“…While people of all ages are gaining weight, the largest growth in the overweight or obese category is among those aged 18–29 years (Nicoteri and Miskovsky, 2014). This is the period when many young adults are entering college and living independently for the first time, meaning that they have to make their own decisions regarding things like food choices and making time to exercise (Baum, 2017; Gillen and Lefkowitz, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have shown that individuals gain the most weight in their first year of college and on average gain about 3.2 pounds (Gillen and Lefkowitz, 2011). This is generally the result of excess fatty food and alcohol consumption combined with minimal exercise (Nicoteri and Miskovsky, 2014). In the USA, the concept ‘Freshman 15’ refers to the phenomenon that first-year college students gain 15 pounds (~6.8 kg) during their first year at college (Gropper et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that predict weight gain among first-year college students

Yan

Harrington

2019

Health Education Journal

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Aim and objectives: In the USA, undergraduate students gain more weight in the first year in college than at any other point in their lives. However, the factors that predict their weight gain are unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of weight gain among first-year college students at a US college over a 3-month period. Design: Correlational longitudinal study using baseline and follow-up self-report survey data. Setting: A private college in the Northeastern USA. Methods: A total of 110 first-year college students were invited to complete both baseline and follow-up surveys 3 months apart. The baseline survey examined participants’ knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, intentions and practices regarding physical activity, diet and stress management. The follow-up survey evaluated barriers to diet and exercise practices. Results: Knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behavioural practices did not predict weight change. However, students who gained weight perceived significantly more personal and environmental barriers than those who did not change weight on the following variables: lack of motivation to exercise, no time to eat healthily, perception of lack of healthy food options and impact of bad weather on exercise. Conclusion: Even living in the same college environment, students perceive environmental barriers differently, which was associated with body weight gain. Health education and promotion professionals should guide students to overcome barriers to healthy eating and exercise, as well as making the campus environment more conducive to healthy behaviour.

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“…Blooms taxonomy provides a framework for devising learning goals with higher order problem-solving outcomes (Bloom et al, 1956). The impact of weight gain during college (Nicoteri and Miskovsky, 2014, Ogden et al, 2014) and any association between college-level learning, cognition, problem-solving skills and academic performance has not be reported. Therefore, the present study sought to ask whether BMI was correlated with differences in final course grades and problem-solving skills in university-aged students.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased body weight affects academic performance in university students

Anderson

Good

2017

Preventive Medicine Reports

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For K-12 students, obesity has been linked to student educational achievements. The study objective was to determine whether academic performance in university students is correlated with BMI. Students from two consecutive academic years (Jan–May 2013 and Jan–May 2014) were given an optional class survey in May, as extra credit. Of the 452 students that completed the survey, 204 females and 75 males (N = 279; 73% female and 27% male) consented to participate in the study. The number of correct answers to problem-solving questions (PSQs) and the overall final grade for the class were compared to the calculated BMI using linear regression with a Pearson's R correlation and unpaired t-tests. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with student's final grades (P = 0.001 Pearson's r = − 0.190) and PSQs were positively correlated with final grades (P < 0.001; Pearson's r = 0.357). Our findings show a correlation between healthy body weight and improved academic performance. Further, the data suggest that future research in the area of body weight, diet, and exercise and any correlations of these with academic performance in college students are warranted.

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Revisiting the freshman “15”: Assessing body mass index in the first college year and beyond

Cited by 13 publications

References 13 publications

Lifestyle and Health Habits of a Canadian University Community

Lifestyle and Health Habits of a Canadian University Community

Factors that predict weight gain among first-year college students

Increased body weight affects academic performance in university students

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