Association of Body Mass Index, Menstrual Flow, Socio-economic and Educational Status with Psychological Stress Levels in Young Age Students

Abstract

Background and Aim: To determine the role of factors linked to the presence of perceived stress in students, after evaluating different aspects of mental health in college students. To evaluate and understand the psychological discomfort and reduce burden of it among young aged students. Methods: A total of 291 students fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited and Ethical approval was obtained from the institution. Written consent was obtained and all the participants were assured that their identity would be kept confidential. The study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire anonymously consisting of menstrual problems, socio-economic status, educational status and perceived stress scale. Results: Among 291 respondents of this study, 27.15% students are medical students and 31.62% are nursing students, 23.02% of the students are physiotherapy students and 18.21% are Art and science students. 53.26% are 1st and 2nd year students. 27.15% of the students have their family income between Rs. 20,000 – 49,999 and 24.4% of the students have their family income between Rs.10,000-19,999. 27.15% of the student’s head of their families are graduates and majority of the head of their families (67.35%) are self-employed. Conclusion: This study reveals the relationship between socio-economic status (SES), Body Mass Index (BMI), menstrual problems and psychological stress, which can explain partly due to emotional eating as a coping strategy to overcome the psychological stress.