Revisiting the freshman "15": assessing body mass index in the first college year and beyond

The purpose of this study was to examine body mass index (BMI) of college freshmen and compare with BMI in senior or graduate year of school.

A convenience sample was drawn from health records of students at a small private university in the northeast United States. BMIs were calculated for those students who had an admission physical examination with documented height and weight and a subsequent physical examination in senior or graduate year. Descriptive statistics and a paired t-test were performed. No significant difference was determined statistically between admission BMI and BMI in later years. The rate of overweight and obese students rose from 25.6% to 32% in the time interval between freshman and senior or graduate year.

Those students who entered college with BMIs considered to be overweight or obese generally were still overweight or obese in the later college years in this population.

Nurse practitioners in college health and in private practice who assess traditional college-age young adults are in a position to provide education about healthy eating habits, weight loss strategies, and community resources as well as to monitor weights and provide support.