Changes in Body Composition and Housing Status Influence CGPA in First Year of College

Abstract

College freshmen have a difficult time to adjust for changes in lifestyle and increased academic demands. Academic achievement in freshmen year is believed to be associated with diet pattern, level of physical activity and place of living (on or off campus). PURPOSE: To investigate effects of changes in lifestyle and body composition on academic performance in first year of college. METHODS: Eighty seven college freshmen participated in this study and completed two tests at the beginning and end of freshmen year. Participants completed a lifestyle survey questionnaire and measurement of body weight, body mass index (BMI), and % body fat in each test. Level of physical activity was monitored using pedometer and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) was obtained from the university record at the end of freshmen year. RESULTS: During freshmen year, no significant changes were found in body weight and BMI, but % body fat was decreased from 25.5±1.4 (SE) to 23.7±1.4 (p<.05). Overweight students (BMI>25) obtained significantly lower CGPA (2.3±.2) as compared to other students (3.1±.1; P<.05). Significantly lower CGPA was observed in students who showed disturbance in BMI (changes more than ±5) or % body fat (changes more than ±5%) during freshmen year (p<.05). Also, students living on campus showed significantly higher CGPA (3.2±0.1) as compared to those living off campus (2.5±0.1; p<.05). Furthermore, level of physical activity was significantly higher in students living on campus (90161±7809 steps/week vs. 42000±871; p<.05). Alcohol consumption, smoking and number of fast food consumption per week did not affect CGPA. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that academic achievement in freshmen year is associated with overweight/obesity, disturbance in body composition and housing. Students who commute may experience lack of physical activity as opposed to students living on campus who walk to campus and have easy access to exercising facilities on campus.