"The Freshman Fifteen" and Beyond: A Meta-Analysis
2016-05
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"The Freshman Fifteen" and Beyond: A Meta-Analysis
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2016-05
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Abstract
The rising rates of overweight and obesity have led to concerns about the increased risk
for developing several negative health consequences. Poor eating habits and lack of
sufficient levels of physical activity contribute to an increase in adiposity and body
weight. Not surprisingly, the transition to college is associated with a variety of lifestyle
changes that may contribute to additional weight gain, such as poor sleep, alcohol
consumption, poor nutrition, and increased sedentary behavior. Many individual studies
have commented on and attempted to examine the phenomenon known as the "Freshman
15". The present meta-analysis intends to discern the patterns related to body weight and
adiposity changes over the first year of college. In addition, this study examines these
changes from the beginning of freshman year to the end of senior year of college, as well
as potential moderators of weight gain and body composition changes. We conducted a
search on seven electronic databases, resulting in 55 studies for inclusion in the metaanalysis.
An overall mean weight gain of 0.74 kg (1.63 lbs) was found for freshman year
and 0.90 kg (1.98 lbs) for the end of senior year. Increases in BMI, percent body fat,
absolute fat mass, and waist circumference, and a decrease in fat-free mass were
observed for both freshman year and senior year of college. Significant differences
between males and females were found in weight and BMI change. Body composition
changes in college are concerning because of the potential negative health behaviors and
patterns that are carried into adulthood. Focus should be paid not only to the freshman
year of college but also throughout students' experiences with college.
Description
A Plan B Research Project submitted to the Faculty of University of Minnesota by Hannah R. Lammert
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts. May 2016. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 101 pages, appendices A-D, tables, graphs
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University of Minnesota, Duluth. College of Education and Human Service Professions.
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Lammert, Hannah R. (2016). "The Freshman Fifteen" and Beyond: A Meta-Analysis. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/193213.
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