Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria
Background: The prevalence of stress among university students has emerged as a significant concern, with notable impacts on their academic performance and overall well-being. Despite the growing body of literature on the association between body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and stress,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Medicine and Health Development |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_24 |
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| author | Chidiebele P. Ojukwu Chinwendu A. Ozioko Genevieve C. Ebulum |
| author_facet | Chidiebele P. Ojukwu Chinwendu A. Ozioko Genevieve C. Ebulum |
| author_sort | Chidiebele P. Ojukwu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The prevalence of stress among university students has emerged as a significant concern, with notable impacts on their academic performance and overall well-being. Despite the growing body of literature on the association between body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and stress, there is a shortage of research in Nigeria. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations of stress with BMI and PA among female students in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from a convenience sample of 301 female undergraduate students at a Nigerian university. The Perceived Stress Scale and International PA Questionnaire—Short Form assessed stress and PA. BMI was calculated from the participant’s weight and height. Results: Participants’ mean BMI was 22.5 ± 3.8 with 68.4% falling within the normal BMI range. A greater percentage reported low levels of PA (60.8%) and moderate stress levels (67.4%). There was no significant relationship between BMI and stress (r = −0.090, P = 0.131). However, a low level of PA was associated with increased stress (r = −0.131, P = 0.027). Conclusion: PA significantly influences stress. Universities should facilitate an exercise-friendly environment and encourage PA programs for female students. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b334d8afacd4c87b8d8f4968ee545ce |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2635-3695 2667-2863 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Medicine and Health Development |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b334d8afacd4c87b8d8f4968ee545ce2025-08-20T03:01:54ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Medicine and Health Development2635-36952667-28632025-01-01301606610.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_24Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in NigeriaChidiebele P. OjukwuChinwendu A. OziokoGenevieve C. EbulumBackground: The prevalence of stress among university students has emerged as a significant concern, with notable impacts on their academic performance and overall well-being. Despite the growing body of literature on the association between body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and stress, there is a shortage of research in Nigeria. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations of stress with BMI and PA among female students in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from a convenience sample of 301 female undergraduate students at a Nigerian university. The Perceived Stress Scale and International PA Questionnaire—Short Form assessed stress and PA. BMI was calculated from the participant’s weight and height. Results: Participants’ mean BMI was 22.5 ± 3.8 with 68.4% falling within the normal BMI range. A greater percentage reported low levels of PA (60.8%) and moderate stress levels (67.4%). There was no significant relationship between BMI and stress (r = −0.090, P = 0.131). However, a low level of PA was associated with increased stress (r = −0.131, P = 0.027). Conclusion: PA significantly influences stress. Universities should facilitate an exercise-friendly environment and encourage PA programs for female students.https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_24body mass indexfemalesphysical activitystressstudents |
| spellingShingle | Chidiebele P. Ojukwu Chinwendu A. Ozioko Genevieve C. Ebulum Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria International Journal of Medicine and Health Development body mass index females physical activity stress students |
| title | Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| title_full | Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| title_short | Association of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity with Psychological Stress among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| title_sort | association of body mass index and physical activity with psychological stress among female undergraduate students in nigeria |
| topic | body mass index females physical activity stress students |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_48_24 |
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