* Diet: Access to readily available, often unhealthy, food options on campus and changes in eating habits contribute significantly.
* Exercise: A decrease in physical activity due to less structured schedules and increased sedentary behavior (like studying) can lead to weight gain.
* Stress: The stress of academics, social life, and new independence can affect eating habits and lead to weight gain or loss.
* Genetics: Individual metabolism and predisposition to weight gain or loss play a role.
* Sleep: Insufficient sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism.
While some studies suggest an average weight gain of a few pounds, this is a broad generalization. Some students gain significantly more, some gain less, and some even lose weight. It's more accurate to say that college is a time when weight fluctuations are common, and the amount of change is highly individual.