College students may be packing on the pounds as they head toward senior year

So much for the freshman 15. A new study released Wednesday finds that college students may see their biggest weight gain in later academic years as they become less active and more sedentary.

Researchers from Indiana University Bloomington surveyed 1,672 full-time students about their physical activity--or lack thereof. They noted a dramatic drop in activity from freshman to senior year. Freshmen, for example, walked an average 684 minutes per week, while seniors only hoofed it for an average 436 minutes per week.

Levels of moderate and intense physical activity dropped for students as they edged toward senior year, while body mass index and sedentary time increased.

“It is the first time students are responsible for leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Jeanne Johnston in a news release. Johnston, the study’s lead author and assistant professor in the school of health, physical education and recreation at Indiana, added, “It is the first time they have to manage their time and make time to exercise. It is a critical point in their lives and colleges and universities can help influence them to make healthy choices by providing them with different programs and choices.”