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Where College Students Live Can Impact Their Weight,
Eating And Exercise Habits
New study of female freshman
living on campus finds that while they consume more calories, they are
involved in greater physical activity that can offset it
SAN DIEGO, CA – The first year of college
is often associated with the “freshman 15,” a reference to the 15 pounds
that female college freshman are alleged to gain during the first year of
higher education. The causes of the freshman 15 range from stress-related
over-eating to excessive consumption of alcohol. A new study of female
freshman dorm residents adds a new perspective to this phenomenon, finding
that those who avail themselves of school housing consume significantly
higher numbers of calories and more sugar and — unlike their off-campus
counterparts — engage in higher levels of calorie- curbing physical
activity.
Study Being Presented at the 121st Annual
Meeting of the American Physiological Society
The study was conducted by Sukho Lee and Kyung-shin
Park, both of the Department of Fitness & Sports in Teacher Preparation, Texas A & M
International University, Laredo, TX. Dr. Lee will present their findings,
entitled On Campus Living Increases Level of Physical Activity
While Consuming More Calories at the 121st Annual Meeting of
The American Physiological Society (APS;
www.the-APS.org/press), part of the Experimental Biology 2008 scientific
conference.
The Study
The purpose of the study was to compare the levels of
physical activity and diet patterns between students who lived on campus and
off campus. Forty-three first-year female students at Texas A & M
International University participated in the one-year study, which was
conducted during the 2006-2007 school year. At the beginning of the study
the women completed a detailed lifestyle questionnaire. At both the
beginning and the end of the study they underwent measurements of body
weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip (W/H) ratio and percentage of
body fat. Physical activity levels were monitored using a pedometer for
seven days per week once a month. Personal daily logs (recording sheet for
food consumption) were given to the subjects. The subjects were asked to
record food consumption for seven days per week once a month. Dietary
patterns were analyzed using specialized computer software.
The researchers
found:
 No
significant difference in body weight, BMI, W/H ratio or percentage body fat
was apparent between the two groups at the end of the study. A long-term
study may, however, show significant differences in percent body fat between
the off campus and on campus groups.
Total
caloric consumption was significantly higher in students who lived on campus
compared to those living off campus (1,846±122.4 vs. 1,459± 92.2 calories
per day, p<.05). This may be due to the fact that most on-campus students
use the University meal plan, which offers students unlimited buffet style
dining.
The
amount of sugar that students consumed was also significantly higher in
students living on campus compared to those living off campus (17.4±3.38 vs.
6.4±l.41 grams per day, p<.05). The researchers speculated that the on
campus students might have more exposure to sugar rich foods due to the
University meal plan at the buffet style cafeteria on campus.
At the
same time, the level of physical activity was significantly higher in
students who lived on campus compared to those who lived off campus
(90,000±19,000 steps per week vs. 42,000±5700, p<.05). The researchers
suggest that this may be due to the distances between the dorms and campus
and the high level of participation in intramural sports and recreational
activities among dorm residents. The fact
that exercise facilities were more likely accessible may have also played a
role.
More Sugar and Calories But More Activity,
Too
According to Dr. Lee, “We concluded that while students
who live on campus may consume more sugar and total calories per day, they
have a higher level of physical activity compared to their off-campus
counterparts. One reason may be that students who commute may experience a
lack of physical activity compared to those on campus who have exercise
facilities closer at hand.”
A limitation of the study is that it was conducted at
only one university. “Additional research will shed more light on the issue.
It is an important topic especially in light of our nation’s upward trend of
obesity,” said Lee.
*****
Physiology
is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create
health or disease. The American Physiological Society (APS;
www.The-APS.org/press) has been an integral part of this discovery
process since it was established in 1887.
# # #
NOTE TO EDITORS: The APS annual meeting is part
of the Experimental Biology 2008 (EB ’08) gathering and will be held April
5-9, 2008 at the San Diego, CA Convention Center. To schedule an interview
with Dr. Lee please contact Donna Krupa at 301.634.7209 (office),
703.967.2751 (cell) or
Dkrupa@The-APS.org.
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