PreprintArticleVersion 2Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed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)
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
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, however limited data are available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducted to monitor monthly body weight and 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 and 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three, and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5 kg; +1.1 kg, p <0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5 cm increase at three-months, p =0.012), and body fat also increased (+0.9%, p =0.026 at three-months). Intakes of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy), and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2000 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
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Nina Wilson
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author