Changes in Body Composition, Energy Expenditure, and Energy Intake during Four Years of University—A Follow-Up Study

Shai Olansky, Kayleigh M. Beaudry, Stacey Woods, Erin Barbour-Tuck, Kimberley L. Gammage, Panagiota Klentrou and Andrea R. Josse
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Shai Olansky: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L6L 3M7, Canada
Kayleigh M. Beaudry: Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Stacey Woods: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L6L 3M7, Canada
Erin Barbour-Tuck: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Kimberley L. Gammage: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L6L 3M7, Canada
Panagiota Klentrou: Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L6L 3M7, Canada
Andrea R. Josse: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: Purpose : The transition to university is often accompanied by the adoption of negative lifestyle habits, which may result in weight and fat gain. While this has been demonstrated during 1st year, little is known about subsequent years. We investigated changes in body composition, energy expenditure, and dietary/energy intake from 1st to 4th year university. Methods : Thirty-eight students (14 males, 24 females) completed a lifestyle questionnaire and had their body mass, fat mass, lean body mass (LBM), and body fat percentage (%BF) measured three times: at the beginning and end of 1st year, and end of 4th year. Results : During 1st year, body mass, fat mass, LBM, and %BF increased (+3.2 ± 3.8 kg, +2.5 ± 3.0 kg, +0.7 ± 2.1 kg, +2.3 ± 4.9%, respectively; p < 0.01), while daily energy intake and expenditure decreased (?359 ± 1019 kcal·d ?1 and ?434 ± 786 kcal·d ?1 , respectively; p < 0.01). Between the end of 1st year and end of 4th year, body mass, LBM, and energy expenditure increased (+3.2 ± 3.8 kg, +1.3 ± 2.9 kg, +209 ± 703 kcal·d ?1 , respectively; p ? 0.05), while %BF, fat mass, and energy intake did not change. Conclusions : Although %BF and fat mass remained stable from the end of 1st year to the end of 4th year in this group of university students, the positive increase in energy expenditure was not enough to reverse the weight and fat gained during 1st year.

Keywords: weight gain; body fat percentage; physical activity; nutrition; university (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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