Is The Senior 17 The New Freshman 15?

According to a new study discussed at the American Public Health Association’s 2010 meeting, college seniors are significantly less active than freshmen, leading researchers to conclude that students see more weight gain in their later years of college as compared to the primary years.

Researchers used an online survey to question 1,672 Indiana University students about their physical activity habits and found that while freshmen spent an average of 16.5 weeks engaged in some type of exercise, seniors spent only 12. Specifically, seniors spent less time walking (and more time sitting) than their younger counterparts. This sedentary lifestyle caused students to graduate heavier and with higher BMIs.

My Health News Daily reports seniors might forgo exercise due to increased stress levels -– and that, although it may be difficult, this is a period in which young adults must establish healthy living patterns.

Did you gain weight in your last years of college? Share your experience in the comments section.

Comments

[lyredragon]

02:25 PM on 11/12/2010

yep that's my experience too. I gained 20 pounds my senior year, and when I was a freshman, I actualy lost weight. I think it's also because seniors are more likely to have cars, jobs, and access to off campus food. Freshmen living on campus have more limited food choices. They're not likely to by dominoes when the cafeteria is already paid for and has balanced meal options

[mrh85]

11:22 AM on 11/12/2010

I can definitely relate to this!! I actually lost weight my freshman year and gained weight my senior year!!!

[LeftyJen]

07:49 PM on 11/10/2010

I'm a senior right now and I've gained almost 10 pounds just this semester. I can only speak for my own school, but the stress and the time commitments are what does it. Freshman have nothing but spare time to play intramural sports and get to the gym but seniors have to write a thesis while taking upper division classes. Many of us do internships as well. Might not be true for everyone, but this definitely makes sense to me.

[ThEnder]

03:22 PM on 11/10/2010

It's not because seniors do less, it's because 4 years of excessive drinking will catch up to you eventually.

[kbella]

06:01 AM on 11/11/2010

Haha. Indeed. I drank very sparingly during college and I didn't gain a pound. All of my old high school friends, however, did the normal college binge drinking thing, and they all came out heavier than they went in.

Activity level doesn't really have anything to do with weight gain. It's how much you put into your mouth. If you are drinking all of your calories, you are likely to gain weight.