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Objective: The aims of the study were to assess whether women during the first year of college experience (1) significant weight gain; (2) a prospective relation between dietary restraint and weight gain; (3) an increase in disordered eating; and (4) a prospective relation between dietary restraint or concern about the Freshmen 15 (i.e., weight gain of 15 lbs during the freshman year of college) and disordered eating.\n\nMethod\nParticipants were 336 female students in their first year of college who completed questionnaire measures of Body Mass Index (BMI), eating disorder pathology, dietary restraint, body image, and self-esteem.\n\nResults\nParticipants' mean weight gain was approximately 3 lbs (1.5 kg), and among those who gained weight, the mean gain was 7.32 lbs (3.3 kg). Dietary restraint in September did not predict weight change in April, but participants who lost weight reported significantly greater dietary restraint than those participants who gained weight. Eating disorder symptoms increased significantly from September to April. Dietary restraint, concern about the "Freshman 15", and self-esteem in September uniquely predicted EDE-Q Weight and Shape Concern subscale scores in April.\n\nDiscussion\nFemale students in their first year of college gain a small but significant amount of weight, and weight gain was mostly unrelated to dietary restraint. Disordered eating increases during the first year of college and, is predicted by prospective dietary restraint and concerns about weight gain.

Earlier studies associated the first year of college with a dramatic increase in body weight, termed the "freshman 15". However, recent studies showed that weight gain might be smaller. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the extent of observed weight/body composition changes, including factors associated with them, among students entering university. Searches were conducted for studies examining weight/body composition changes during freshman semesters. Most studies were not comprehensive in assessing numerous potential causative factors for weight gain. Methods for assessing diet, physical activity, and behavioral factors varied among studies. Weight changes were often not quantified by measures of body composition (lean/fat) to ascertain that changes were limited just to gains in fat mass. Overall, weight changes ranged from 0.7-3.1 kg, but among individuals who gained weight, the range was narrower, 3.1-3.4 kg. There may be specific groups of students with a greater predisposition for weight gain and future research should focus on identifying those groups.

Crombie, Aaron P, et al. "The freshman weight gain phenomenon revisited." Nutrition Reviews 67.2 (2009), 83-94. The "freshman 15" is something every college student worries about. This article is reviewing the studies that have been done on this topic and seeing possible factors of it. They list that possible factors could be alcohol, change in physical activity, and many more. It also researches the differences between men and women in this subject. They come to conclude that freshman normally do not actually gain 15, but it appears more like it because it is less likely to be in lean weight.

Gil, Lynn A. "Bridging the Transition Gap From High School to College." Teaching Exceptional Children 40.2 (2007): 12-15. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. The article uses John, a freshman at a four year university, as an example for the transition from high school to college. John was identified to a have a learning disability in second grade. He recieved services throughout his academic career. The article addresses problems and transitional issues that may come about during the first year of college. The article ultimately shows that those students who are self-determined are more likely to seek out help during their academic transition.

Dryden, Jim. "Study finds most students gain weight during early college years." Newsroom. Washington University, St. Louis, 5 September 2005. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. \n\nReporting in the Journal of American College Health, the research team found that about 70 percent of students gained a significant amount of weight between the start of college and the end of sophomore year. One researcher states that these results are not surprising to him because normally eating habits incollege students are not great. He also states that most don't eat five fruits and vegetables per day, and many don't get enough exercise. The average weight gain was nine pounds, but why they gained the weight isn't completely understood. \n