Cross-sectional study of eating behaviours, physical activity and depression in college students in China
TL;DR
Specific eating behaviours and PA are associated with depressive symptom severity, and self-efficacy may partly mediate these associations, and self-efficacy may partly mediate these associations.
Abstract
This study examined the associations of eating behaviours and physical activity (PA) with depressive symptom severity and the mediating role of self-efficacy among college students in Northwest China. A cross-sectional study is performed from 2022 to 2023 across ten colleges in five provinces in Northwest China. Eating behaviours, physical activity, depressive symptom severity, and self-efficacy are assessed using self-developed eating behaviour items, the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), respectively. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses are performed. The final analysis includes 7,041 participants. Using a PHQ-9 cutoff of ≥10, 8.79% screen positive for probable depression. In the fully adjusted model, frequent breakfast skipping (β = 2.57, 95% CI 2.26-2.88), late-night snacking (β = 2.11, 95% CI 1.63-2.58), irregular meals (β = 4.55, 95% CI 4.05-5.05), and strong preferences for high-calorie (β = 1.43, 95% CI 1.04-1.81), sweet (β = 0.71, 95% CI 0.24-1.19), and spicy foods (β = 1.52, 95% CI 1.22-1.82) are associated with higher PHQ-9 scores, as is frequent alcohol consumption (β = 3.52, 95% CI 2.99-4.04). Higher PA is associated with lower PHQ-9 scores (β = −0.03, 95% CI -0.03 to -0.02). For strong sweet food preference, the indirect effect through self-efficacy is 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.48), accounting for 40.22% of the total effect. Specific eating behaviours and PA are associated with depressive symptom severity, and self-efficacy may partly mediate these associations.