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Higher Academic Stress Was Associated with Increased Risk of Overweight and Obesity among College Students in China

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  • Yonghua Chen

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China
    Research Centre on College Students Ideological Education and Practice, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
    The authors contributed equally to this manuscript.)

  • Xi Liu

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China
    The authors contributed equally to this manuscript.)

  • Ni Yan

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Wanru Jia

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Yahui Fan

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Hong Yan

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Lu Ma

    (Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Le Ma

    (School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an 710061, China)

Abstract

This study examined associations between academic stress and overweight and obesity, and moderation effects of gender, grade, and types of college on such associations. Data on academic stress, negative learning events, weight, and height were self-reported by 27,343 college students in China in 2018. About 23% and 91% of students perceived high academic stress and suffered from at least one negative learning event during the past six months, respectively, especially for females, undergraduates, and students major in humanities and social science subject groups. Perceived academic stress was associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity among all students (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.00–1.10), male (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 1.03–1.15), undergraduate (OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.00–1.11), and students from subordinate universities (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.01–1.26). Negative learning events were associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity among all students (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01–1.09), undergraduates (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 1.01–1.09), and students from local universities (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.00–1.14). Interventions are needed to reduce the high academic stress of college students, considering the modifying effects of gender, grade, and college type. Such interventions may further contribute to the prevention of overweight and obesity among college students.

Suggested Citation

  • Yonghua Chen & Xi Liu & Ni Yan & Wanru Jia & Yahui Fan & Hong Yan & Lu Ma & Le Ma, 2020. "Higher Academic Stress Was Associated with Increased Risk of Overweight and Obesity among College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5559-:d:393031
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janet Junqing Chu & Mobarak Hossain Khan & Heiko J Jahn & Alexander Kraemer, 2015. "Only-Child Status in Relation to Perceived Stress and Studying-Related Life Satisfaction among University Students in China: A Comparison with International Students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Natasha Lakaev, 2022. "Refinement of the Lakaev Academic Stress Response Scale (LASRS-2) for Research, Clinical, and Educational Settings Using Rasch Modeling," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, December.
    2. Yantao Niu & Rojapon Buranarugsa & Piyathida Kuhirunyaratn, 2023. "Comparing the Effects of Bafa Wubu Tai Chi and Traditional He-Style Tai Chi Exercises on Physical Health Risk Factors in Overweight Male College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-11, July.

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