Sareen S. Gropper

Changes in body weight, composition, and shape: a 4-year study of college students

The objectives of this study were to examine changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body composition, and shape in a group of male and female students over the 4-year college period. Anthropometric assessments including height and weight (via standard techniques), body composition (via bioelectrical impedance analysis), and body shape (via 3-dimensional body scanning) were conducted at the beginning of the freshman year and end of the senior year in 131 college students. Four-year changes included significant (p < 0.0001) gains in weight (3.0 kg), BMI (1.0 kg·m(-2)), body fat (3.6%), and absolute fat mass (3.2 kg). Males gained significantly (p < 0.0001) greater amounts of weight, BMI, percent and absolute fat mass, and fat-free mass than females. Weight change ranged from (-)8.7 to (+)16.8 kg. About 70% of the participants gained weight, which averaged 5.3 kg; significant (p < 0.0001) gains in BMI, fat-free mass, absolute fat mass, and percent body fat and significant (p < 0.0005) increases in neck, chest-bust, waist, hips, seat, and biceps circumferences were also observed in this weight gain group. The percentage of participants classified as overweight-obese increased from 18% to 31%. The number of females and males with ≥30% and 20% body fat, respectively, increased from n = 14 to n = 26 (with n = 4 exhibiting normal weight obesity) over the 4-year period. The waist circumference changes were significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated with both weight and percent body fat changes. In conclusion, the increasing prevalence of obesity and normal weight obesity among this college population suggests the need for additional health promotion strategies on college campuses.

The Freshman 15—A Closer Look

Abstract Objectives and Participants: Changes in body weight, composition, and size were examined in college freshmen at the beginning (initial, n = 240) and end of fall semester 2007 (n = 214) and the end of spring semester 2008 (n = 205). Methods: Height, weight, body composition, and waist and hip measurements were assessed. Results: Mean weight, body mass index (BMI), absolute and percent body fat all increased significantly over fall semester and the academic year. About 31% of freshmen lost ≥5 lbs. Mean academic year weight gain was 2.6 lbs (entire group) and 6.0 lbs (weight gainers); body fat increased by 4.4 lbs in the weight gainers. A significant correlation (r = .509) was found between weight change and waist circumference change, but not between weight change and waist to hip ratio change. Conclusions: Freshmen weight gain is associated with increases in body fat and waist circumference, which may be troublesome should the trend continue throughout college.

Effect of chromium nicotinic acid supplementation on selected cardiovascular disease risk factors

The effects of daily supplemental chromium (200 μg) complexed with 1.8 mg nicotinic acid on plasma glucose and lipids, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, were assessed in 14 healthy adults and 5 adults with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using a double-blind crossover study with 8-wk experimental periods. Eight of the 14 healthy subjects and all 5 subjects with NIDDM also underwent an oral glucose tolerance test with assessment of 90 min postprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. No statistically significant effects of chromium nicotinic acid supplementation were found on plasma insulin, glucose, or lipid concentrations, although chromium nicotinic acid supplementation slightly lowered fasting plasma total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations, and 90-min postprandial glucose concentrations in individuals with NIDDM.

Plasma Amino Acid Response to Ingestion of L-amino Acids and Whole Protein

The effect of whole protein and L-amino acid ingestion on plasma amino acid concentrations was investigated in 10 men. Each subject ingested equivalent amounts of amino acids as cottage cheese (session 1), an L-amino acid mixture (session 2), and cottage cheese and L-amino acids (session 3). Postprandial changes from baseline were larger for essential versus nonessential amino acids in each session. Higher and more rapid rises followed by more rapid declines in individual plasma amino acid concentrations were observed after ingestion of L-amino acids alone or with whole protein than after ingestion of an equivalent amount of amino acids as whole protein. Individuals receiving the majority of their essential amino acid and nitrogen needs from elemental products may need, for example, to consume them more frequently or after consumption of other foods in an effort to slow down absorption rates.

Effect of Simultaneous Ingestion of L-Amino Acids and Whole Protein on Plasma Amino Acid and Urea Nitrogen Concentrations in Humans

The effect of whole protein and L-amino acid ingestion on plasma amino acid (PAA) and urea nitrogen (UN) concentrations was investigated. Ten males ingested equivalent amounts of nitrogen as (trial 1) cottage cheese, (trial 2) an L-amino acid mixture, (trial 3) cottage cheese and L-amino acids. Mean changes in total PAA between trials 1 (342 mumol/liter) and 2 (719 mumol/liter) and trials 1 (342 mumol/liter) and 3 (981 mumol/liter) at 30 min and trials 1 (547 mumol/liter) and 3 (143 mumol/liter) at 150 min differed significantly. Mean changes in essential PAA between trials 1 (180 mumol/liter) and 2 (420 mumol/liter) and trials 1 (180 mumol/liter) and 3 (500 mumol/liter) at 30 min differed significantly. Mean changes in essential PAA between trials 1 (247 mumol/liter) and 3 (334 mumol/liter) at 60 min and between trials 1 (252 mumol/liter) and 3 (80 mumol/liter) at 150 min differed significantly. Mean increments in total and essential PAA were higher and peaked faster but decreased more quickly after trials 2 and 3 than after trial 1. Mean changes in plasma UN did not differ between trials. Ingestion of either L-amino acids, whole protein or the mixture of L-amino acids and whole protein was equally effective in increasing total PAA over 4 hr.

Higher Healthy Eating Index-2005 Scores Are Associated With Better Physical Performance

BACKGROUND Little is known regarding the relationship between overall diet quality and physical performance among older adults. We examined the association between overall diet quality, as measured by the US Department of Agricultures Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005), and physical performance, as measured by gait speed (n = 2,132) and knee extensor power (n = 1,392), among adults aged 60 years or older. METHODS Using data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, multiple linear regression models controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, comorbidities, medication use, cognitive function, body mass index, and physical activity were used in the analyses. RESULTS After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and smoking status, total HEI-2005 scores were positively associated with both gait speed (p for trend = .02) and knee extensor power (p for trend = .05). Older adults with higher HEI-2005 scores had a faster gait speed (p = .03 for both Quartile 3 and Quartile 4 vs quartile 1) compared with those with HEI-2005 scores in the lowest quartile. Those with HEI-2005 scores in Quartile 4 had a greater knee extensor power compared with those with HEI-2005 scores in the lowest quartile (p = .04). The associations between HEI-2005 scores and physical performance remained after further adjustment for comorbidities, medication use, cognitive function, and body mass index. However, the associations were no longer statistically significant after further adjustment for physical activity. CONCLUSION Adherence to overall dietary recommendations is associated with better physical performance among older adults.

Iron status of female collegiate athletes involved in different sports.

Iron status was assessed in 70 female athletes aged 18–25 yr participating in collegiate cross-country track, tennis, softball, swimming, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. No significant differences in mean hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin were found among teams. The mean concentrations of each parameter for each of the teams were within the normal ranges. However, several athletes from different sports had suboptimal iron status indexes. Of 17 athletes with a serum ferritin concentration ≤15 μg/L, 8 (4 freshmen, 2 sophomores, 2 unknown) also exhibited low serum iron concentrations (< 60μg/dL) and low transferrin saturation (< 16%). Thirteen (6 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 2 juniors, 2 seniors) of 51 (25%) athletes failed to consume two-thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for iron and exhibited suboptimal serum concentrations of ferritin, iron, and/or transferrin saturation. Of nine athletes taking iron supplements, one exhibited suboptimal iron status. In summary, nonanemic iron depletion was present among female collegiate athletes involved in many different sports and in all years of participation (freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior athletes). Female athletes should continue to be individually and routinely evaluated for nutritional deficiencies throughout their collegiate athletic careers.

Weight and Body Composition Changes during the First Three Years of College

Differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent and absolute body fat, fat-free mass, and waist circumference were investigated in a group of males and females during the first three years (from 2007 to 2010) of college. Significant three-year gains were observed for weight 2.1 ± 4.7 kg, BMI 0.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2, percent body fat 2.7 ± 3.3%, and fat mass 2.3 ± 3.5 kg. A significant loss of fat-free mass, −0.5 kg, was observed among females. Absolute gains in weight, BMI, and percent and absolute body fat were highest during the freshman year, followed by the junior year, and lowest during the sophomore year. Among the 70% of students gaining weight over the three years, weight gain averaged 4.3 kg. The numbers of females with over 30% body fat doubled, and the number of males with over 20% body fat increased fivefold. Initially 15% of students were classified as obese/overweight and 79% normal weight; by the end of the junior year, 24% were obese/overweight and 70% were normal weight. Efforts on college campuses to promote healthy lifestyles among its student population are needed throughout the college years.

Body composition changes during the first two years of university

OBJECTIVE Changes in body weight, composition, and shape were investigated in male and female college students between the freshman and sophomore years. METHODS Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent and absolute body fat and fat-free mass (via bioelectrical impedance), and waist circumference (via body scans) were assessed over the freshman and sophomore years (2007-2009) among 120 students attending a Southern public university. RESULTS Weight (2.5 and 1.7 lbs) and BMI gains (0.3 and 0.3 kg/m(2)) did not significantly differ between the freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Significantly more percent body fat and fat mass were gained during the freshman (1.9% and 3.3 lbs, respectively) than the sophomore year (0.0% and 0.6 lbs, respectively). Females lost significantly more fat-free mass during the freshman (-0.8 lb) than during the sophomore year (1.0 lb). Changes in waist circumference and weight were significantly correlated. Increases in the percentages of females classified as overweight and with unhealthy body fat amounts and waist circumferences were observed. CONCLUSION While the sophomore year was characterized by slightly healthier body composition changes than the freshman year, the gains in weight, fat mass, and waist circumference measurements suggest increased health risks for many college females.

Evaluation of Alabama Public School Wellness Policies and State School Mandate Implementation

BACKGROUND This study evaluated wellness policies created by Alabama public school districts and progress made in the implementation of Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) school food and nutrition mandates. METHODS Wellness policies from Alabama public school districts were compared to minimum requirements under the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004. Additionally, data were analyzed from a survey of school district superintendents regarding compliance with ALSDE mandates. Districts were graded based on the percentage of 7 components addressed in wellness policies, and on the percentage of ALSDE mandates implemented. RESULTS The majority of school districts (71%) were in compliance with all federal wellness policy requirements. An average 6.4 components were addressed, for a mean score of 92%. Mean implementation of ALSDE mandates was 79%; only 7% of districts indicated implementing all of the mandates. No significant differences were found in federal wellness policy or ALSDE mandate compliance scores based on district type, enrollment, percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, use of an environmental assessment survey, and use of wellness committee and a nutrition professional during policy development. CONCLUSIONS The majority of Alabama school districts created school wellness policies with appropriate content. This does not, however, guarantee effective policies. School districts have not done as well implementing ALSDE mandates, demonstrating delay between policy creation and implementation. Future research is needed regarding progress the school districts make in the implementation of school health policy and on factors influencing that progress.