The Impact of Weighing Frequency on Weight Cycling in Post-COVID College Students

The COVID-19 pandemic led to lifestyle changes and weight gain for many, including college students. Regular self-weighing can aid weight management but may also contribute to weight cycling (repeated weight loss and regain), which has negative health impacts. This study examined the relationship between weighing frequency and weight cycling in post-COVID college students. This was an observational, correlational study with 124 college students aged 18-30 years. Participants completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory questionnaire assessing weight history, including weight cycling (≥ 10lb weight change) and weighing frequency. Anthropometrics were measured. Statistical analysis included t-tests, correlations, and ANOVA. Results showed that participants averaged 1.2 ± 1.4 weight cycles. Males weighed themselves more frequently than females (p = 0.004). When analyzing both genders, there was a significant positive correlation between weighing frequency and the number of weight cycles (r = 0.293, p = 0.006), which remained for males (r = 0.409, p = 0.005) but not for females. Those weighing daily had significantly more weight cycles than less frequent weighers (p < 0.05). More frequent weighing was associated with greater weight cycling, particularly among males. This contradicts some prior research suggesting the benefits of regular self-weighing for weight control. Potential limitations include the observational design, self-reported data, and sample demographics. Future research could explore psychological factors and employ longitudinal designs to establish causality and develop tailored interventions.