Weight gain in first-semester university students: Positive sleep and diet practices associated with protective effects

Physiology & Behavior
Mary-Jon LudyRobin M Tucker

Abstract

For university students, alterations in sleep and diet quality are common, and the propensity for weight gain is well established. The role of sleep duration during periods of rapid weight gain is understudied. This study explored the relationships between sleep duration, diet patterns, and body composition in first-year university students. Data collection occurred during the beginning of the fall (August) and spring semesters (January). Anthropometric measures included weight, height, and percent body fat (%BF). Survey questions assessed sleep and diet quality. As a group, participants (N = 60) gained weight (1.8 ± 2.1 kg) over the 4.5-month period of study. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified three groups based on weight change between baseline and follow-up visits. Group 1 ("maintainers") (N = 21) gained 0.1 ± 1.3 kg, group 2 ("modest gainers") (N = 24) gained 2.0 ± 1.7 kg, and group 3 ("major gainers") (N = 15) gained 3.8 ± 1.8 kg. No differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), %BF, or average sleep duration existed between clusters at baseline. Minimal differences in baseline dietary behaviors between groups were noted other than maintainers used more fat, e.g., butter, to season vegetables, bread, and potato...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 20, 2020·Journal of American College Health : J of ACH·Jean M Reading, Jessica Gokee LaRose
Dec 2, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Eiichi YoshimuraShigeho Tanaka
Nov 18, 2021·Journal of American College Health : J of ACH·Lauren A DialMary-Jon Ludy

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