Environment and weight

gain in women

Erica Morris, Precious Okwuse, Sierra StrathyLynchburg College

Whydid we

pick this

topic?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine if environmental influence effects weight gain

in women on college campuses.

IntroductionMany college students are gaining weight rapidly

Women experience more weight gain than men

College students become obese quickly

Environment could factor in increased weight gain

Weight gainExternal factors

Internal factors

Perception

Environmental influence

Geographic Influence across the USHow

Influences

Residence hall lifestyle

Social

Dining Hall

Geographic Influence in International StudentsAmerican vs. International

Difference in diet

Nutritional aspect Perceptions of nutrition

Dietary recommendations

We went searching for answers...

conclusionFemale students had a higher frequency of weight gain than men

College/Universities need to offer more

Nutritional education for students

Health awareness programs

Physically active student events

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Kapinos, K. A., & Yakusheva, O. (2011). Environmental influences on young adult weight gain: Evidence from a natural experiment. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(1), 1-16.

Matthews, J., Doerr, L., & Dworatzek, P. (2015) University students intend to eat better but lack coping self-efficacy and knowledge of dietary recommendations. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Vol.48, 12-19.

Pelletier, J. E., Graham, D. J., & Laska, M. N. (2014). Social norms and dietary behaviors among young adults. Am J Health Behaviors. 38(1), 1-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.38.1.15

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Vadeboncoeur, C., Townsend, N., & Foster, F. (2015). A meta-analysis of weight gain in first year university students: Is freshman 15 a myth? Bio Medical Central. 2:22, 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40608-015-0051-7

Vella-Zarb, R. A., & Elgar, F. J. (2010). Predicting the ‘freshman 15’: Environmental and psychological predictors of weight gain in first-year university students. Health Education Journal, 69(3), 321-332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0017896910369416

Wagner, D. R., Christensen, S. V., Christensen, S., Blaney, P., Wengreen, H., & Heath, E. M. (2010). Weight and body composition change during the first year of college: A study of traditional residence hall freshmen. International Journal Of Body Composition Research, 8(2), 61-67.