This work was carried out to study the perception of 440 female and male first-year Kuwait University students on body weight gain. Students attended 11 colleges of the University, 6 of theoretical-type and 5 science-type colleges. Each college was represented by 40 students of both genders. Freshmen were chosen for this study to reduce the influence of their subsequent studying at different colleges to a minimum. A simple questionnaire that contained a section on demographics and 5 subsections, with 2 statements for each, was utilized in collecting responses from willing students. Correct responses were agreed upon by a panel of nutritionists and trained interviewers administered the questionnaire on a face-to-face basis. Obtained results were recorded and were statistically analyzed, with a set level of p<0.05 for statistical significance. Results showed varied percentages in the numbers of correct answers for 2-4 subsection (14-21%) and that only 5% of students answered all correctly. Demographic factors that significantly influenced responses were: college type on subsection 4(p<0.001), governorate of residence on subsection 3(p<0.01), and number of siblings on subsection 2(p<0.05). Other demographic factors: age, gender nationality father education, mother education and monthly income did not influence responses. With concerns being raised in the literature about the nutrition and lifestyle of university students and, consequently their effect on body weight change, it is recommended that a short course on basics of healthy nutrition and lifestyle should be offered to freshmen across all study disciplines taught in universities. Educational interventions could prove valuable for their stage of study and for the rest of their lives.
