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 2013. 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