![](https://d3ilqtpdwi981i.cloudfront.net/lz7jfZqvsPGWYxfpZZe2MvnyxSI=/425x550/smart/https://bepress-attached-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/f3/1d/82/f31d82cf-8d4b-43d8-b1d5-b3f24f24f322/thumbnail_f924ae66-b118-48f8-9b24-4698fb705507.jpg)
© 2018 Suzan A. Haidar, Nanne de Vries, Dimitrios Papandreou, Rana Rizk, Mirey Karavetian. BACKGROUND: When transitioning from high school to university, students tend to gain weight. AIM: The study aimed to identify whether Lebanese students experience weight changes during the transition and to identify predisposing factors. METHODS: Eighty freshman students from four campuses in Lebanon were recruited in October 2015. Students were assessed anthropometrically and biochemically at two-time points, seven months apart. Students filled out questionnaires assessing demographic and lifestyle habits, physical activity levels, nutrition knowledge, sleep quality, and stress. RESULTS: The students gained approximately 4.19 lbs. (1.90 kg). There was a significant increase in waist circumference, blood glucose and triglyceride levels. There were no significant changes in HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, knowledge score, stress level, physical activity, sleep and lifestyle habits. CONCLUSIONS: Lebanese students do gain weight during their first year of university enrollment. Future research is necessary to assess the reasons for weight gain and develop suitable prevention programs.
- College students,
- Freshman 15,
- Obesity,
- Stress,
- Weight gain
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/dimitrios-papandreou/20/