Abstract
Objectives This study investigated the importance of environmental influences in explaining weight gain and related behaviors among freshman college students. Methods We exploited a natural experiment that takes place on most college campuses in the United States - randomized dormitory assignments. We estimated the effects of living in dormitories with varying physical environment characteristics on weight gain and related behaviors (daily number of meals and snacks, weekly frequency of exercise) among randomly assigned freshman students. Results We found strong evidence linking weight and related behaviors to individual dormitories, as well as to specific characteristics of the dormitories. On average, students assigned to dormitories with on-site dining halls gained more weight and exhibited more behaviors consistent with weight gain during the freshman year as compared with students not assigned to such dormitories. Females in such dormitories weighed .85 kg (p = .03) more and exercised 1.43 (p < .01) times fewer; males consumed .22 (p = .02) more meals and .38 (p = .01) more snacks. For female students, closer proximity of the dormitory to a campus gym led to more frequent exercise (.54, p = .03), whereas living closer to central campus reduced exercise (-.97, p = .01). Conclusions Using a natural experiment to deal with the potential endogeneity of the living environment, this study found that the physical environment affects both students' weight changes and weight-related behaviors.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 52-58 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Adolescent Health |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Adolescent obesity
- Natural experiment
- Physical environment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Environmental influences on young adult weight gain : Evidence from a natural experiment. / Kapinos, Kandice A.; Yakusheva, Olga.
In: Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 48, No. 1, 01.01.2011, p. 52-58.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental influences on young adult weight gain
T2 - Evidence from a natural experiment
AU - Kapinos, Kandice A.
AU - Yakusheva, Olga
PY - 2011/1/1
Y1 - 2011/1/1
N2 - Objectives This study investigated the importance of environmental influences in explaining weight gain and related behaviors among freshman college students. Methods We exploited a natural experiment that takes place on most college campuses in the United States - randomized dormitory assignments. We estimated the effects of living in dormitories with varying physical environment characteristics on weight gain and related behaviors (daily number of meals and snacks, weekly frequency of exercise) among randomly assigned freshman students. Results We found strong evidence linking weight and related behaviors to individual dormitories, as well as to specific characteristics of the dormitories. On average, students assigned to dormitories with on-site dining halls gained more weight and exhibited more behaviors consistent with weight gain during the freshman year as compared with students not assigned to such dormitories. Females in such dormitories weighed .85 kg (p = .03) more and exercised 1.43 (p < .01) times fewer; males consumed .22 (p = .02) more meals and .38 (p = .01) more snacks. For female students, closer proximity of the dormitory to a campus gym led to more frequent exercise (.54, p = .03), whereas living closer to central campus reduced exercise (-.97, p = .01). Conclusions Using a natural experiment to deal with the potential endogeneity of the living environment, this study found that the physical environment affects both students' weight changes and weight-related behaviors.
AB - Objectives This study investigated the importance of environmental influences in explaining weight gain and related behaviors among freshman college students. Methods We exploited a natural experiment that takes place on most college campuses in the United States - randomized dormitory assignments. We estimated the effects of living in dormitories with varying physical environment characteristics on weight gain and related behaviors (daily number of meals and snacks, weekly frequency of exercise) among randomly assigned freshman students. Results We found strong evidence linking weight and related behaviors to individual dormitories, as well as to specific characteristics of the dormitories. On average, students assigned to dormitories with on-site dining halls gained more weight and exhibited more behaviors consistent with weight gain during the freshman year as compared with students not assigned to such dormitories. Females in such dormitories weighed .85 kg (p = .03) more and exercised 1.43 (p < .01) times fewer; males consumed .22 (p = .02) more meals and .38 (p = .01) more snacks. For female students, closer proximity of the dormitory to a campus gym led to more frequent exercise (.54, p = .03), whereas living closer to central campus reduced exercise (-.97, p = .01). Conclusions Using a natural experiment to deal with the potential endogeneity of the living environment, this study found that the physical environment affects both students' weight changes and weight-related behaviors.
KW - Adolescent obesity
KW - Natural experiment
KW - Physical environment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78650687325&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=78650687325&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.021
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 21185524
AN - SCOPUS:78650687325
VL - 48
SP - 52
EP - 58
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
SN - 1054-139X
IS - 1
ER -