Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students

Version 1 : Received: 22 November 2021 / Approved: 23 November 2021 / Online: 23 November 2021 (16:13:38 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 12 September 2022 / Approved: 12 September 2022 / Online: 12 September 2022 (11:10:16 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wilson, N.A.; Villani, A.; Tan, S.-Y.; Mantzioris, E. UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 2241. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092241 Wilson, N.A.; Villani, A.; Tan, S.-Y.; Mantzioris, E. UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 2241. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10092241

Abstract

Background: Students in the United States gain weight significantly during their first year of university, but limited data is available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducA 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Studentsted to monitor monthly body weight and body composition, as well as quarterly eating behaviours, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and basal metabolic rate changes amongst first-year Australian university students. Participants were first-year university students over 18 years. Results: Twenty-two first-year university students (5 males, 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5kg; +1.1 kg, p <0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5cm increase at two-months, p=0.012) and body fat also increased (+0.7%, p=0.04 at two-months; +0.9%, p=0.026 at three-months). Intake of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy) and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2300 mg) at 12-months. Greater sedentary behaviours were observed amongst male students throughout the study (p <0.05). Conclusions: Female students are at risk of unfavourable changes in body composition during the first year of university, while males are at risk of increased sedentary behaviours. High intakes of saturated fat, sugars and sodium warrant future interventions in such a vulnerable group.

Keywords

freshman; weight gain; body composition; diet; physical activity

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Food Science and Technology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.