Freshman 15 : It’s Not Your Fault

Previous studies show that “… nearly one in four freshmen gain at least 5% of their body weight, an average of about 10 pounds, during their first semester” (Freshman 15). Most previous studies have looked at how much weight gain actually occurs between men and women. This study is aimed at tackling the reasons for unhealthy eating behaviors in first year students at The University of British Columbia. The study looked at how varying factors between first year residence areas at UBC were associated with barriers to healthy eating. 150 questionnaires were administered to first year residents’ living in Totem Park, Place Vanier, and Walter Gage. Barriers of time, money, and perceived control over healthy eating behaviors were the main focus. We used ANOVA and 2-sample t-test to conduct the statistical analyses. The data suggests that residents from Place Vanier and Totem Park felt the barrier of time less than residents in Walter Gage. Students with a meal plan felt, on average, more deterred from healthy options due to financial pressures and unappealing healthy options provided by the dining hall. Finally students residing in Walter Gage felt more perceived control of healthy eating choices than Place Vanier and Totem Park residents. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Arts, Faculty ofPsychology, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat