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Physiology & Behavior 92 (2007) 548 – 553
Stress and weight change in university students in the United Kingdom
Anna Serlachius a , Mark Hamer b , Jane Wardle a,⁎ a Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK b Psychobiology Group, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
Received 30 January 2007; received in revised form 2 April 2007; accepted 25 April 2007
Abstract
Students in the US have been shown to gain weight during their first year at university. This study examined whether students in Britain have a similar weight change during their first year at university, and tested the hypothesis that stress plays a role. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess stress and perceived weight change. Two hundred and sixty eight students at University College London completed the questionnaire at the end of their first year of university. On average, students reported a significant weight increase (1.53 kg ± 2.70, p b 0.001), although there was considerable variation, with 55% of the sample reporting weight gain, 12% weight loss, and 33% remaining stable. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that stress was associated with greater risk of weight gain (OR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.44, p = 0.001) and weight loss (1.33, 1.10 to
1.61, p = 0.003), but associations were stronger among women. The associations remained unchanged after adjustment for health behaviours. Our findings confirm a modest weight gain over the first year at university, which was associated with higher levels of perceived stress in women.
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Weight change; Psychosocial stress; Health behaviours; University environment
1. Introduction
The increase in obesity worldwide has led to a significant expansion in research on preventive measures to combat obesity
[1]. Being clinically overweight
Stress and weight change in university students in the United Kingdom
Anna Serlachius a , Mark Hamer b , Jane Wardle a,⁎ a Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK b Psychobiology Group, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
Received 30 January 2007; received in revised form 2 April 2007; accepted 25 April 2007
Abstract
Students in the US have been shown to gain weight during their first year at university. This study examined whether students in Britain have a similar weight change during their first year at university, and tested the hypothesis that stress plays a role. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess stress and perceived weight change. Two hundred and sixty eight students at University College London completed the questionnaire at the end of their first year of university. On average, students reported a significant weight increase (1.53 kg ± 2.70, p b 0.001), although there was considerable variation, with 55% of the sample reporting weight gain, 12% weight loss, and 33% remaining stable. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that stress was associated with greater risk of weight gain (OR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.44, p = 0.001) and weight loss (1.33, 1.10 to
1.61, p = 0.003), but associations were stronger among women. The associations remained unchanged after adjustment for health behaviours. Our findings confirm a modest weight gain over the first year at university, which was associated with higher levels of perceived stress in women.
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Weight change; Psychosocial stress; Health behaviours; University environment
1. Introduction
The increase in obesity worldwide has led to a significant expansion in research on preventive measures to combat obesity
[1]. Being clinically overweight
References: university students from 13 countries, 1990–2000. Prev Med 2002;35:97–104. A. Serlachius et al. / Physiology & Behavior 92 (2007) 548–553 [22] Moyer M, Rodin J, Grilo C, Cummings N, Larson L, Rebuffescrive M.