Campus Eating Environments Drive Higher Calorie Intake in New College Students

New research shows that college dining spaces and social settings encourage students to eat more than they realize, contributing to early weight gain often referred to as the “freshman 15.” An interdisciplinary team from George Mason University found that environmental and social cues strongly influence eating habits during the first year of college.

Using a mobile app for four weeks, students logged their meals, locations, and emotional states. The data revealed that students consumed significantly more calories when eating with others or in dining halls and restaurants. Intake was lower when they ate alone or at home. The study also uncovered a gap between students’ perceptions of their eating patterns and the calorie counts recorded by the app, with stress, mood, and gender adding further complexity.

The findings highlight the value of digital tools in understanding campus eating behaviors. The study was published in mHealth and supported by the George Mason University College of Public Health Pilot Grant.

08-12-2025