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Holiday Weight Change in a US College Student Sample: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
Hannah B Yoo1, Casen Bigham2, Tanisha Basu3
1Department of Psychological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA.
Obesity Science & Practice
|January 10, 2025
Summary
College students gained a small amount of weight during the holidays, primarily in lean mass, not body fat. This study investigated holiday weight gain in college students, finding a significant increase in body weight and lean mass.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Human Physiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The holiday season is commonly associated with weight gain in adults.
- Limited research exists on holiday weight gain specifically in college students due to unique lifestyle changes.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for student health and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine changes in body weight and composition in college students during the holiday season.
- To explore the association between psychosocial factors and these body composition changes.
Main Methods:
- 47 undergraduate students were assessed before and after the holiday break.
- Measurements included body weight, body composition (lean mass, body fat percentage).
- Paired t-tests and regression analyses were used to analyze data.
Main Results:
- College students experienced a statistically significant average weight increase of 1.08% (0.74 kg).
- Lean body mass increased significantly, while body fat percentage remained unchanged.
- No significant associations were found between psychosocial variables and changes in weight or body fat.
Conclusions:
- College students exhibit a small but significant weight gain over the holiday period.
- This weight gain is characterized by an increase in lean mass, not body fat.
- Findings contribute to understanding holiday weight gain patterns and highlight a potentially healthy increase in lean mass.
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