Freshmen weight and body composition change determinants: A scoping review

Objective: Scoping review of freshmen weight and body composition change determinants in order to inform practice, policymaking, and research that improve health and well-being. Methods: A systematic search of the literature identified potential sources. Duplicates were removed before a title and abstract review. A full-text review was then conducted on the remaining sources. Retained sources were then reviewed systematically before synthesis. Results: Eighty-five sources were synthesized. Variation in study design, measurement, reporting, and analyses of determinants, in particular dietary characteristics and physical activity, complicate comparisons. Dietary characteristics and physical activity appear to influence freshmen weight and body composition changes, while evidence indicates alcohol consumption is associated with deleterious weight and body composition changes. Conclusions: Design, measurement, analyses, and reporting can be improved considerably to better examine relationship between body composition changes and determinants in order to provide insight into, and inform, interventions and policies to benefit students’ health and well-being.