Body Image and Body Satisfaction for College Freshmen: Investigation into the Fabled “Freshman 15”

Abstract

AbstractCollege students are perceived to be an at-risk population for becoming overweight or obese. Actual research into the fabled “freshman 15” concept has been limited. While weight gain has been somewhat documented during the freshmen year in women, studies have not examined weight gain in men. Weight has been shown to be a component of body image and body satisfaction/dissatisfaction. The current research investigated the possible changes in level of body satisfaction as it related to weight gain and weight loss. Two hundred and ten entering freshmen (71 male and 139 female) volunteered as a part of a larger study on freshmen weight gain. Results showed a decrease in the total body satisfaction in both genders. With respect to the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS), which assessed the degree of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with specific body parts (e.g., face, hair, etc.), male subjects were in favor of hair and most dissatisfied with muscle tone. For females, they were most satisfied with their hair and most dissatisfied with their mid-torso. Fifty-three males and 91 females increased in weight while 18 males and 43 females decreased in weight. The overall average weight gain for the first semester freshmen was 2.1 lbs. While there was a decrease in body satisfaction for the female subjects who gained weight in the first semester, male subjects showed no significant change in their body satisfaction level. From the statistical results, it can be conveniently concluded that there was a significant increase in the body weight in both the genders, for their first semester freshmen year in college. Also, the satisfaction level of male and female subjects pertaining to their body image statistically decreased. The study showed that women like their bodies less when they gain weight thus confirming that weight is a significant factor in body satisfaction.