One in Four College Freshmen Gains Average of 10 Pounds during First Semester

According to a July 28, 2009 WebMD article, a recent study indicates that approximately 25% of college freshmen gain an average of 10 pounds (or, roughly 5% of overall body weight) during their first semester on campus. Among the characteristics common to those whose body weight increased by at least 5% during the first semester of college were: less physical activity than in high school; more sleep; and, greater likelihood of eating breakfast each day. Nutrition experts point to these findings as evidence that obesity prevention strategies should be targeted at college freshmen.

The article is available at the WebMD site.