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Effect of the summer months on body weight and composition in college women.

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Title: Effect of the summer months on body weight and composition in college women.
Authors: Hull HR (AUTHOR), Morrow ML (AUTHOR), Heesch KC (AUTHOR), Dinger MK (AUTHOR), Han JL (AUTHOR), Fields DA (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Women's Health (15409996). Dec2007, Vol. 16 Issue 10, p1510-1515. 6p.
Subjects: Body weight, Body size, Human body composition, Weight gain, Metabolic disorders, Nutrition disorders, Women college students, College students, Universities & colleges
Abstract: Background and objectives: College students and young adults are experiencing the greatest increases in rates of obesity, and 20% of college students are classified as obese. The objective of this study was to compare changes and rates of change in body weight and body composition between the freshman academic year and the summer after the freshman year among female college students. Methods: Participants were recruited early in their freshman year of college to participate in a prospective longitudinal study examining changes in body weight and composition over the college years. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the beginning and end of the freshman year. Upon return from the summer for their sophomore year, participants returned to have all measurements repeated. Sixty-nine female participants completed all three visits. Results: Body weight increased 1.3 kg during the academic period and an additional 0.1 kg during the summer period. Body mass index (BMI) increased between the first two visits but did not change between the last two visits. However, percent fat increased at each visit. Fatfree mass significantly increased 0.5 kg over the academic year but decreased by 1.1 kg over the summer ( p < 0.05). Greater rates of change were detected in percent fat, fat-free mass, and BMI during the summer compared with the academic year ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Differences in body composition between the academic and summer periods may reflect changes in living situations between these periods. Unfavorable changes during the summer suggest the need to promote healthy lifestyles to freshman women before they leave campus for the summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Women's Health (15409996) is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Background and objectives: College students and young adults are experiencing the greatest increases in rates of obesity, and 20% of college students are classified as obese. The objective of this study was to compare changes and rates of change in body weight and body composition between the freshman academic year and the summer after the freshman year among female college students. Methods: Participants were recruited early in their freshman year of college to participate in a prospective longitudinal study examining changes in body weight and composition over the college years. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the beginning and end of the freshman year. Upon return from the summer for their sophomore year, participants returned to have all measurements repeated. Sixty-nine female participants completed all three visits. Results: Body weight increased 1.3 kg during the academic period and an additional 0.1 kg during the summer period. Body mass index (BMI) increased between the first two visits but did not change between the last two visits. However, percent fat increased at each visit. Fatfree mass significantly increased 0.5 kg over the academic year but decreased by 1.1 kg over the summer ( p < 0.05). Greater rates of change were detected in percent fat, fat-free mass, and BMI during the summer compared with the academic year ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Differences in body composition between the academic and summer periods may reflect changes in living situations between these periods. Unfavorable changes during the summer suggest the need to promote healthy lifestyles to freshman women before they leave campus for the summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:15409996
DOI:10.1089/jwh.2006.0329