Brief Summary

The transition to university from secondary school comes with many changes to living arrangements, dietary and alcohol intake, physical activity, and stress. The purpose of this study is to explore weight gain in new university students in the UK under the 'Freshman15' phenomenon. This phenomenon is an expression commonly used in the United States and Canada to describe a weight gain of 15 lbs (6.8 kg) in students who transition from secondary school to university life. The research will assess to investigate the impact of lifestyle factors that predict students' weight gain during their first year at the University of Aberdeen. The study specifically focuses on how these factors vary based on their living arrangement. Also, the change in lifestyle will be explored in relation to age-matched individuals not-attending The transition to university from secondary school comes with many changes to living arrangements, dietary and alcohol intake, physical activity, and stress. The purpose of this study is to explore weight gain in new university students in the UK under the 'Freshman15' phenomenon. This phenomenon is an expression commonly used in the United States and Canada to describe a weight gain of 15 lbs (6.8 kg) in students who transition from secondary school to university life. First aim: To investigate the impact of lifestyle factors that predict students' weight gain during their first year at the University of Aberdeen. The study specifically focuses on how these factors vary based on their living arrangement. Also, the change in lifestyle will be explored in relation to age-matched individuals not-attending university. Second aim: To examine changes in weight, living arrangements, dietary intake, physical activity, sleep and stress after one year at university with previous participation students who moved to their second year to understand the influence that university life has on these trends compared to their first visit at the beginning of their first year at the university.

Trial Health

On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for all trials

Timeline

Completed

Started Sep 2022

Geographic Reach

1 country

1 active site

Status

completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

1.6 years study duration

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 15, 2022

Completed

6 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 1, 2023

Completed

2 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 12, 2023

Completed

12 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 30, 2024

Completed

Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 30, 2024

Completed

Last Updated

September 19, 2024

Status Verified

September 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

1.6 years

First QC Date

March 1, 2023

Last Update Submit

September 5, 2024

Conditions

Obesity

Keywords

freshman 15weight gainuniversity studentsfirst-year university studentsstressliving arrangementphysical activitydietary intakealcohol consumptionweight changesleep

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

Change in Body Weight (BW)
Weight (kilograms) will be measured using a Bioimpedance (Tanita MC-580 P).
Baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body Mass Index (BMI) will be measured height (Metres) using a Stadiometer and body weight (kilograms) using a Bioimpedance (Tanita MC-580 P). BMI (kg/m2) will be calculated by dividing weight by height squared.
Baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) is the ratio of waist circumference to the hip circumference will be measured using tape (CM) . WHR will be calculated as WC divided by HC.
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Body Fat (BF%)
Body Fat (BF%) will be measured by Bioimpedance (Tanita MC-580 P).
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Weight-for- Age Growth Charts
Weight-for- Age Growth Charts will be used to calculate the weight for age percentile, and this done by calculator using this website (the Center for Disease Center (CDC) children charts for 2-20 year olds). Weight for age percentile will be calculated by entering (gender, birthday, weight, and measurement date).
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Finger Ratio
Finger Ratio will be measured using Vernier Caliper. I will measure the length of participant's index finger 2D of right hand from crease to tip. Then do the same for the ring finger 4D. Finger Ratio will be calculated as index finger 2D /ring finger 4D.
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.

Secondary Outcomes (28)

Change in Protein Intake using intake24
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Fat Intake using intake24
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Carbohydrate Intake using intake24
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Energy Intake using intake24
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
Change in Alcohol Intake using intake24
baseline at the beginning of the academic year, then a follow-up after three months, at eight months (end of the academic year ), and after one year.
+23 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (4)

University students living at home

Group of university students

Device: Weight and body composition changeBehavioral: Change in dietary intakeDevice: Change in physical activityBehavioral: Change in stressBehavioral: Change in socio-demographic characteristicsDevice: Change in sleep

University students living in private accommodation

Group of university students

University students living in the halls of residence

Group of university students

Non-university participants living in Aberdeen

Group of age-matched volunteers living in the same city

Interventions

Weight and body composition changeDEVICE

1- Anthropometric Measurements: Body Weight (BW), Body Mass Index (BMI), Sitting Height Ratio (SHR), Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR), Finger Ratio (FR), Body Fat (BF%), and Weight-for-age growth charts. (Single measure)