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IMPACT OF SUGAR INTAKE ON BODY COMPOSITION DURING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research indicates that college freshmen are 5.5 times more likely to gain weight than the general population, with an average weight gain of 7.4 pounds. Many factors contribute to eating habits however, the college transition is where most students go from a dependent state to an independent state where they can make their own choices and decisions with food including foods with added sugar. This transition can have long-term implications for body composition, chronic disease development, and lifelong eating habits. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine eating habits including intake of added sugar, and body composition change during the transition from high school to college.METHODS: This study will recruit high school seniors (n=75) aged 17-19 years. Baseline assessment will take place during the senior year of high school and follow-up assessment after the first year of college. Demographic and anthropometric measurements will be collected. Body composition will be assessed using. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, DXA (Lunar Prodigy, GE Healthcare, Madison, Wisconsin). The National Cancer Institute Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA24) dietary assessment tool will be used to assess macro- and micro-nutrients including foods with added sugar consumption. Participants’ venous blood will be collected via blood draw. The Piccolo Xpress Chemistry Analyzer (Lipid Panel Plus; Abaxis, Inc., Union City, CA) will be used to measure blood biomarkers including glucose, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol (TC), TC to HDL ratio. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the amount of added sugar consumed. Additionally, there will be an increase in body fat percentage via DXA analysis and a change in blood biomarker levels. These changes will be associated with dietary intake changes such as increased processed food consumption with added sugar, dining hall food, and personal choices. FUNDING: Funding for this project will be provided by the National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R15HL159650.

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