Increase in obesity after students enter college

Abstract

Welcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. The transition from high school to college is associated with dramatic declines in physical activity. During this same time, students tend to eat more foods high in fat and sodium and drink more sweetened beverages. This helps explain the increase in overweight and obesity among college students. That’s according to research involving more than 30,000 college students. University of Minnesota epidemiologist Toben Nelson was the lead researcher. <Clip: “The transition from high school to college…intervening to prevent weight gain.”>Nelson believes that colleges and universities need to consider adding more physical activity programs for their students. <Clip: “Provide opportunities to engage in physical activity…prevent this growing health problem.”> With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.