23rd Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Winter Break on Weight Gain
Allison R. Palisch* and Anna R. Greenwald
Dr. Jerry Mayhew (NA), Faculty Mentor
College weight gain is currently a large area of controversy in our society. Recent studies have shown an average weight gain of 1.4 to 4.1 kg in a semester or a year. The purpose of our study was to determine weight and body composition change over a winter holiday break. Body composition was determined using skinfolds and two bioelectric impedance analysis devices (Tanita and BodyLogic) on nine college students. Measurements were taken during the last week of first semester and the first week of second semester. Over the 30-day break, the students gained an average of 1.5 kg in body weight (P<0.05). Different body composition techniques were significantly different and failed to adequately account for the 2.4% weight gain. Students may gain weight over holiday breaks but current body composition prediction techniques may not provide adequate estimates of changes in muscle and fat mass.
Keywords: Weight Gain, Freshman 15, Holiday Weight
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 53-3
Location: VH 1000
Time: 3:15