Economics
Faculty Spotlight
What are the factors that cause more or less (or no) weight gain in young adults in college? That is question Olga Yakusheva, assistant professor of Economics, along with Kandice Kapinos of the University of Michigan examined in an article titled “Environmental Influences on Young Adult Weight Gain: Evidence from a Natural Experiment”
Economics Faculty Spotlight
Professor Olga Yakusheva
Many people have heard of the so-called “freshman 15”, the slang term for the weight gain the typically occurs as young adults begin college. What are the factors that cause more or less (or no) weight gain in young adults in college? That is question Olga Yakusheva, assistant professor of Economics, along with Kandice Kapinos of the University of Michigan examined in an article titled “Environmental Influences on Young Adult Weight Gain: Evidence from a Natural Experiment” soon to be published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Professors Yakusheva and Kapinos are interested in if socio-demographic and other factors may help explain why some young adults gain more weight than others. One finding is that students that live in a dormitory with a dining room gain more weight compared to those that have to leave their dorm to for meals. The study also shows that there is a substantial “peer effect”; social influences related to weight gain/loss show up as very important factors that help explain why some young adults show more weight gain than others. Given the results, preventive measures and educational materials can be developed by colleges to help prevent excess weight gain, especially for first-time students.