Body Weight and Percent Body Fat Increase during the Transition from High School to University in Females

Abstract A critical period for weight gain may occur during the transition from high school to university. This descriptive, noncontrolled cohort study of 116 healthy females examined the effect of this transition over three study visits in first year university. The main outcome measure was body we...

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Published in:	Journal of the American Dietetic Association Vol. 108; no. 6; pp. 1033 - 1037
Main Authors:	Edmonds, Melinda J., RD, Ferreira, Kelly J., MSc, Nikiforuk, Erica A, Finnie, Alida K., MSc, Leavey, Sarah H, Duncan, Alison M., PhD, RD, Randall Simpson, Janis A., PhD, RD
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2008 Elsevier Limited
Subjects:	Adipose Tissue - metabolism Adolescent Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - physiology Adult Analysis of Variance body composition Body Composition - physiology Body fat body mass index body weight Body Weight - physiology Cohort Studies College students energy intake Energy Intake - physiology Exercise - physiology Female Females food intake Gastroenterology and Hepatology girls health status height high school students Humans Internal Medicine Life Style lifestyle Medical research Obesity physical activity Predictive Value of Tests Regression Analysis time series analysis waist circumference Weight Weight control Weight Gain women
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Summary:	Abstract A critical period for weight gain may occur during the transition from high school to university. This descriptive, noncontrolled cohort study of 116 healthy females examined the effect of this transition over three study visits in first year university. The main outcome measure was body weight; others were height, body composition, waist circumference, dietary intake, and participation in physical and sedentary activities. Difference among study visits was determined by repeated measures analysis of variance; multiple regression examined changes in energy intake and physical and sedentary activities as predictors of final weight. Weight increased ( P <0.001) by 2.4 kg (61.4 to 63.8 kg) during the entire course of the study. Other increases ( P <0.001) included: body mass index (calculated as kg/m2 ), 22.3 to 23.1; percent body fat, 23.8% to 25.6%; and waist circumference, 76.9 to 79.4 cm. Dietary energy intake did not increase; vigorous physical, but not strength building, activities increased; television use decreased; and computer use increased ( P <0.03 for all): however, these changes were not predictive of final weight. A change (decrease) in moderate physical activity was, however, an important predictor of final weight. Females making the transition to university gained 2.4 kg; weight gain during this formative period may be modified by lifestyle activities.
Bibliography:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2008.03.002 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0002-8223 2212-2672 1878-3570 2212-2680
DOI:	10.1016/j.jada.2008.03.002