Changes in body weight, body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in first-year university freshmen students

The purpose of the present study was to document any changes that might occur in body weight, body composition, RMR, and dietary intake in newly enrolled college freshmen.

Body weight, RMR by ventilated O(2) consumption, body composition by bioelectrical impedance and dietary intakes were recorded in 27 first-year college freshmen during their initial 16-week semester.

Mean body weight increased significantly with time (3.0 lbs; p < 0.001); 16 subjects (59%) gained >or= 3.0 lbs, while 6 subjects (22%) gained >or= 6 lbs. Percent fat mass significantly increased (p < 0.001), while lean body mass decreased (p < 0.001). Changes in RMR failed to reach statistical significance; however, there was a significant correlation between changes in weight and RMR (r = 0.45; p < 0.02). Mean reported calorie intake did not differ significantly between the beginning (1905 +/- 664 kcal) and end (1960 +/- 687 kcal) of the study. However, the differences ( approximately 55 kcal) are in the range necessary to support the mean 3 lb. weight gain.

The present study supports the notion that freshmen students, on average, gain weight during their first semester; however, this weight gain may be more modest than generally perceived. The study also provides important new data on changes in diet, body composition and RMR.