22nd Annual Student Research Conference
The Caloric Balance: A Possible Cause of College Freshman Weight Gain
Laura K. Gilmer
Dr. Jerry Mayhew and Prof. Melody Jennings, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to compare diet intake journals with projected normal daily caloric requirements to assess potential weight change in college women during a semester. Nineteen women (age = 18-22 yrs) provided 3-day diet journals which were analyzed using the mypyramid.gov program. Based on height, weight, and activity rating, a projected daily caloric requirement was calculated for each subject. When total calorie intake was compared to the daily requirement, there was an average net gain of 272 (712) Kcal/day. Over the 105 days of the semester, this projected an average weight gain of 8.1 (23.1) lbs. Fourteen subjects (74%) had a projected average weight gain of 16.6 (17.7) lbs while only five subjects had a projected average weight loss of 15.6 (8.3) lbs. In this study, the difference in weight appears to be more dependent on changes in caloric intake rather than physical activity level.
Keywords: Weight Gain, Freshman 15, College Females
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-3
Location: PML
Time: 4:15