The study was done by measuring the weight, height and the average body fat of freshmen college students using a digitalized scale and bioelectrical impedance. The measurements were taken to assess the change in the weight of first-year college students during their first and final days of the academic year (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006). The research is meant to prove the accuracy of the Freshmen 15 myth. The myth stipulates that the first years are likely to gain weight. The research was meant to determine whether weight gain was an occurrence among the freshmen one year after joining college.
The study also aimed at proving whether one of the two populations registered more weight gain than the other. It is generally said that the females are likely to gain more weight than the males; this study was meant to clear out the air and provide evidence for such theories. The researchers aimed at identifying whether the Freshman 15 was an accurate illustration of the weight gain nature of the first year in college. Weight gain occurs in many transition period s of life, but is the average weight gained equivalent to 15 points?
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Explanation on the Test and Results
On testing the null hypothesis, it was clear that the students did not gain weight up to 135lbs per year. The hypothesis was false in that the weight of the students did not increase up to the stated weight per year. The alternative hypothesis stated that the students gained the given weight of approximately 15 pounds in their first year of college (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006). As results, we failed to reject the null hypothesis. At a 95% confidence interval, the results suggested that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the mean was equal to 15pounds.
It could also not be determined whether the average weight gain was as stated. These uncertainties could have been caused by several factors such as the alpha or significance level, and the level was more significant than 0.05, perhaps using a different level of significance could affect the results. The sample size variations with the female population being higher than the male could have caused the difference in value. A higher t-value in any statistical analysis results to a higher p-value. Hence the results are highly dependent on the accuracy of the t value used. The results of the study indicated that the urban legend was false.
Pictorial Representation of the Mean Weights for men/ women in Sept. vs. April.
According to the representation, the average weight for both males and females increased relatively from September to April. The male students registered a higher increase than the female students. As shown in the bar graphs below, the female starting weight was at an average of 128 at the beginning of the academic year, and by April it was at 130.8 lbs (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006). The male students however registered a higher increase by a few points from 160 to 162.8. It should be duly noted that as the semester began the mean weight of the male students was higher than the mean weight of the female students.
Freshman 15 Myth
Freshman 15 is a term used to define the weight gained by first years during the first year of college. Research shows that it is obvious to gain weight through the first year of college due to external factors. However, it is more realistic when the weight gained varies from 3 to 6 pounds. Fifteen pounds is exaggerated. According to the statistical analysis, the mean weight of the males and female students varied from 2-3 pounds from the admission date and the end of the first year. In my opinion, the weight gain is viable (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006); there is a possibility that students gain weight; hence the freshman 15 myth is applicable only that it is unrealistic in terms of the estimation.
Considering the life transitions that take place in the first year of college, the weight gain can be justified. For starters the students are away from their homes and the overprotective parents; as a result, they have the freedom to indulge in different eating behaviors as compared to their simple meals (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006). They take charge of their diets, and as the pressure to catch up college life increases their eating patterns are affected, some students survive entirely on snacks. Secondly, most of the campus hostels and dorms are strategically placed next to dining halls and eateries. This contributes to the weight gain in that the students can access food products at their convenience.
Recent research indicates that there are higher chances that the increase in weight by the students could be linked to alcohol consumption (Hoffman, Daniel J., et al, 2006). Most of the conservative students get to enjoy the freedom; hence they indulge in beers and alcoholic beverages to the maximum during their first year of study. It may be due to peer pressure or curiosity, but it can be linked to increased weights.
In conclusion, weight gain is a regular occurrence among first-year college students. The statistical analysis proves that although the average weight gain cannot be determined there are increases in weight for both the males and the females. In real life scenarios, less than 10% of the student population experience weight gain of 10-15 pounds most of the students gain 1-6 pounds at most. The freshman 15 concept is one of the most talked about topic in many colleges in the United States.
References
Hoffman, D. J., Policastro, P., Quick, V., & Lee, S. K. (2006). Changes in body weight and fat mass of men and women in the first year of college: A study of the" freshman 15". Journal of American College Health , 55 (1), 41-46.
