NEW YORK, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Studies by Indiana University and Tufts University suggests beer and a lack of exercise fuel weight gain by college freshmen.
The Indiana findings were presented at a meeting of the Obesity Society this month, USA Today reported Wednesday.
Indiana researchers, who interviewed 272 women and 149 men, found 60 percent gained weight during their freshman year -- more than seven pounds for women and nine pounds for men. Sixty-seven percent of the women and 86 percent of men said they continued gaining weight beyond their freshmen year. The report said 76 percent of women and 33 percent of men claimed to eat when under stress.
The students also reported drinking more and exercising less than they did in high school.
Tufts University researchers studied data from 322 students. They found students who gained weight put on an average of 6 1/2 pounds their freshman year and an average 10 pounds total between their freshman and senior years, the newspaper said.
