Graduate Program

Nutrition and Dietetics

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2011

Thesis Director

Karla Kennedy-Hagan

Thesis Committee Member

Lisa Brooks

Thesis Committee Member

Richard Wilkinson

Abstract

First year college students are at an increased risk for weight gain, which could have an effect on the future obesity status in America. Several studies indicate that weight gain does occur the first year of college; however, little research actually studies the population's behaviors prior to college. A literature review was conducted on several factors that relate to the diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that students may undergo as they transition from high school to college. It was hypothesized that a change in these factors would be associated with student weight gain and an increased BMI the first year of college. A quantitative approach was taken to examine the diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that occurred during the transition from high school to college and how the changes were related to a weight and BMI difference. A total of 199 freshmen students at a Midwestern university voluntarily participated in the study. Based on the results, it was determined that fast food consumption, snack consumption, and computer use were significant (p

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