An analytical cross-sectional study on the association between weight changes and stress levels among first to fourth year medical students of a private medical school from A.Y. 2023-2024

Jennifer  M. Nailes,; Shannele Adrielle  Ariz,; Sabrina Rae  Aquino,; Roy Benedict  Arceo,; Zarina Mae  Aves,; Christhon Marc  Cocjin,; Michaela  Crisostomo,; Kimberly Joyce  Cruz,; Ron Jay  Cuaresma,; Kim Elizabeth  Ong,

An analytical cross-sectional study on the association between weight changes and stress levels among first to fourth year medical students of a private medical school from A.Y. 2023-2024

Discipline: Health

Abstract:

Introduction The demanding nature of medical school causes students to experience stress, anxiety, and depressive episodes that may cause students to gain or lose weight. This study aimed to determine the association of weight changes and stress levels among a private medical school students. Methods Data were collected two times with an interval of 30 days through on-site measurement of the students’ anthropometrics using a stadiometer and utilization of online survey questionnaires accessed via QR code. Demographics and disease states were identified in the first round of data collection while the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and identification of stressors was integrated in the second round of data collection. Results Among the 212 individuals, 69.8% were categorized into having perceived moderate stress levels, 22.2% with high stress, and 8% with low stress. Of the 212 cases, 86 gained weight, 91 lost weight, and 35 had no change in weight. Fear of failure, poor motivation, and difficulty understanding lectures are among the top overall stressors. The study noted that there is a moderate association between stress and weight changes but it is not enough to reach statistical significance (0.161), as the sample size was not reached. The study revealed that the prevailing diseases were Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, and Hypertension, which have varying degrees of impact on weight change. Conclusion There is an association between weight changes and stress levels among first to fourth year medical students of a private medical school from A.Y. 2023-2024.

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