Relationship between chronic psychosocial stress and BMI among adolescents / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the influence of chronic psychosocial stress on BMI in adolescents.Methods Physical examination and questionnaire survey were conducted among the students of junior grade 1 and senior grade 1 in 10 middle schools in Xuzhou in September 2011.Their body height and weight were measured at baseline survey and the self-report information about socio-demographic data,emotional symptoms (depressive symptoms,anxiety symptoms),and life style/behavior were collected from them.Chronic psychosocial stress was assessed with Multidimensional Life Events Rating Questionnaire (MLERQ),which consists of five items,stress of family life,school life,peer relation,gender relation and health growth.Results A total of 5 473 valid questionnaires were collected for analysis (2 841 from boys and 2 632 from girls).The follow-up measurement of body height and weight were conducted in September 20 13.A total of 4 316 students (2 171 boys,2 145 girls) were surveyed,and 1 157 students missed the follow up.The psychosocial stress score in the overweight and obese girls at baseline survey was positively associated with BMI-Z increase at follow up survey (P＜0.01).No such effect was observed among the boys at follow-up survey.Conclusion High level of chronic psychosocial stress could lead to BMI increase in overweight and obese girls,suggesting that female adolescents are susceptible population of psychosocial stress induced obesity.