Psychological distress and obesity risk among U.S. college students: Social context and lifestyle behaviors of diet, physical activity, and sleep

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• College students face unique social pressures contributing to psychological distress.
• Psychological distress impacts health behaviors, including diet, physical activity, and sleep.
• These factors are linked to increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between psychological distress and lifestyle behaviors (diet, physical activity, sleep).
• To investigate the role of the college social context in these associations.
• To explore gender-specific differences in the relationship between distress, behaviors, and BMI.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 690 university students in Southern California.
• Data collected via in-class surveys and a 7-day at-home food questionnaire.
• Statistical analyses included gender-stratified approaches to examine interactions.

Main Results:

• Higher psychological distress correlated with unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, and poor sleep quality.
• A significant distress x sleep interaction affected BMI in males.
• Living in fraternity housing was linked to less physical activity; sorority membership and dorm living were linked to unhealthy diets in females.

Conclusions:

• Psychological distress is a significant factor influencing college students' health behaviors and obesity risk.
• Interventions must address the college social context, aiming to reduce distress and improve sleep.
• Tailored strategies considering gender and living situations are crucial for effective health promotion.