Association of poor sleep characteristics with coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students

ZHANG Lisha; LI Huihua; ZHANG Lifang; SONG Yongjing; SONG Jiancai; HUANG Bo

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025244

Volume 46 Issue 8

Aug. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH > 2025 > 46(8): 1160-1165

ZHANG Lisha, LI Huihua, ZHANG Lifang, SONG Yongjing, SONG Jiancai, HUANG Bo. Association of poor sleep characteristics with coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(8): 1160-1165. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025244

Citation:

ZHANG Lisha, LI Huihua, ZHANG Lifang, SONG Yongjing, SONG Jiancai, HUANG Bo. Association of poor sleep characteristics with coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(8): 1160-1165. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025244

Citation:

ZHANG Lisha, LI Huihua, ZHANG Lifang, SONG Yongjing, SONG Jiancai, HUANG Bo. Association of poor sleep characteristics with coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(8): 1160-1165. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025244

PDF( 438 KB)

Association of poor sleep characteristics with coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025244

1.
Department of Physical Education, Hunan Mass Media Vocational and Technical College, Changsha 410100, Hunan Province, China

Received Date: 2025-05-08
Rev Recd Date: 2025-07-20

Available Online: 2025-08-30

Publish Date: 2025-08-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To analyze the association between poor sleep characteristics and the coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving their physical and mental health. Methods From November to December 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to survey 6 600 college students from nine universities in Jiangxi, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and physical examinations were employed to assess negative emotions, poor sleep characteristics, and overweight/obesity. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the impact of poor sleep characteristics on the coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity. Results The coexistence rates of different categories of negative emotions (depression, anxiety, stress) and overweight/obesity were 6.1% (n=405), 8.0% (n=529), and 3.3% (n=217), respectively. Gender, grade level, major, maternal education level, annual family income, physical activity level, only-child status, and carbonated beverage consumption were statistically associated with the coexistence rates of different categories of negative emotions and overweight/obesity (χ²=4.01-35.18, all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, grade level, major, only-child status, maternal education level, annual family income, physical activity level, and carbonated beverage consumption, poor sleep characteristics were significantly associated with an increased risk of the coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity (OR=1.41-6.65); moderate and poor sleep quality levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of the coexistence of different categories of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among female students (OR=1.99-4.71) (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Poor sleep characteristics are associated with the coexistence of negative emotions and overweight/obesity among college students. Greater attention should be paid to sleep issues in this population, and sleep education should be actively promoted to reduce the risk of comorbid negative emotions and overweight/obesity.
- Sleep,
- Emotions,
- Overweight,
- Obesity,
- Mental health,
- Regression analysis,
- Students

FullText(HTML)

References(36)

References

[1]	CHEN T J, DONG B, DONG Y, et al. Matching actions to needs: shifting policy responses to the changing health needs of Chinese children and adolescents[J]. Lancet, 2024, 403(10438): 1808-1820. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02894-5
[2]	俞国良. 中国学生心理健康问题的检出率及其教育启示[J]. 清华大学教育研究, 2022, 43(4): 20-32. YU G L. Chinese students' mental health problems: the detection rate and educational implications[J]. Tsinghua J Educ, 2022, 43(4): 20-32. (in Chinese)
[3]	张瀚月, 马璐, 孔振兴, 等. 2016—2020年我国学生超重、肥胖和营养不良状况的流行趋势与防控策略[J]. 北京体育大学学报, 2023, 46(11): 118-131. ZHANG H Y, MA L, KONG Z X. et al. Prevalence trends and prevention strategy of overweight, obesity and malnutrition among Chinese students from 2016 to 2020[J]. J Beijing Sport Univ, 2023, 46(11): 118-131. (in Chinese)
[4]	ODLAUG B L, LUST K, WIMMELMANN C L, et al. Prevalence and correlates of being overweight or obese in college[J]. Psychiatr Res, 2015, 227(1): 58-64. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.01.029
[5]	MORALES-MUÑOZ I, MALLIKARJUN P K, CHANDAN J S, et al. Impact of anxiety and depression across childhood and adolescence on adverse outcomes in young adulthood: a UK Birth Cohort Study[J]. Br J Psychiatry, 2023, 222(5): 212-220. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2023.23
[6]	ZHANG J, YAO W, HASHIMOTO K. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB signaling in inflammation-related depression and potential therapeutic targets[J]. Curr Neuropharmacol, 2016, 14(7): 721-731. doi: 10.2174/1570159X14666160119094646
[7]	SA J, CHOE S, CHO B, et al. Relationship between sleep and obesity among US and South Korean college students[J]. BMC Public Health, 2020, 20: 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7969-5
[8]	ST-ONGE M P, WOLFE S, SY M, et al. Sleep restriction increases the neuronal response to unhealthy food in normal-weight individuals[J]. Inter J Obes, 2014, 38(3): 411-416. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2013.114
[9]	刘景, 何嘉嘉, 金正格, 等. 专科生睡眠时间与负性情绪症状的关联[J]. 中国学校卫生, 2021, 42(11): 1670-1673, 1678. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2021.11.016 LIU J, HE J J, JIN Z G, et al. Associations between sleep duration and negative emotions among junior college students[J]. Chin J Sch Health, 2021, 42(11): 1670-1673, 1678. (in Chinese) doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2021.11.016
[10]	陈婷, 何亦斌, 范奕, 等. 江西省大学生超重肥胖睡眠时间现状及其相关性[J]. 中国学校卫生, 2022, 43(10): 1574-1578. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2022.10.031 CHEN T, HE Y B, FAN Y, et al. Prevalence and associations of overweight obesity and sleep duration among university students in Jiangxi Province[J]. Chin J Sch Health, 2022, 43(10): 1574-1578. (in Chinese) doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2022.10.031
[11]	屈宁宁, 李可基. 国际体力活动问卷中文版的信度和效度研究[J]. 中华流行病学杂志, 2004, 25(3): 87-90. QU N N, LI K J. Study on the reliability and validity of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Chinese Vision, IPAQ)[J]. Chin J Epidemiol, 2004, 25(3): 87-90. (in Chinese)
[12]	LEUNG C W, TAPPER E B. Sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with increased liver stiffness and steatosis among apparently healthy adults in the United States[J]. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2022, 20(4): 959-961. e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.05.052
[13]	李华, 王赛, 孙福财, 等. 大学生奶茶和外卖消费交互效应与超重肥胖的关联[J]. 中国学校卫生, 2024, 45(11): 1545-1550. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024324 LI H, WANG S, SUN F C, et al. Association of the interaction effect of milk tea and takeaway consumption on overweight and obesity among college students[J]. Chin J Sch Health, 2024, 45(11): 1545-1550. (in Chinese) doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024324
[14]	LOVIBOND P F, LOVIBOND S H. The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck depression and anxiety inventories[J]. Behav Res Ther, 1995, 33(3): 335-343. doi: 10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
[15]	MORIN C M, BELLEVILLE G, BÉLANGER L, et al. The Insomnia Severity Index: psychometric indicators to detect insomnia cases and evaluate treatment response[J]. Sleep, 2011, 34(5): 601-608. doi: 10.1093/sleep/34.5.601
[16]	XU H, TAO J, YANG J, et al. Mobile phone use addiction, insomnia, and depressive symptoms in adolescents from ethnic minority areas in China: a latent variable mediation model[J]. J Affect Disord, 2023, 320: 381-389. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.156
[17]	BUYSSE D J, REYNOLDS Ⅲ C F, MONK T H, et al. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research[J]. Psychiatry research, 1989, 28(2): 193-213. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4
[18]	GHROUZ A K, NOOHU M M, DILSHAD MANZAR M, et al. Physical activity and sleep quality in relation to mental health among college students[J]. Sleep Breath, 2019, 23: 627-634. doi: 10.1007/s11325-019-01780-z
[19]	中华人民共和国卫生部疾病控制司. 中国成人超重和肥胖症预防和控制指南[M]. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2006: 3. Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health of the PRC. Guidelines for adult overweight and obesity prevention and control in China[M]. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 2006: 3. (in Chinese)
[20]	BECKER S P, JARRETT M A, LUEBBE A M, et al. Sleep in a large, multi-university sample of college students: sleep problem prevalence, sex differences, and mental health correlates[J]. Sleep Health, 2018, 4(2): 174-181. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2018.01.001
[21]	李晟芃, 梁定雄, 苏凡, 等. 大学生奶茶消费与超重肥胖抑郁症状共患的关联性[J]. 中国学校卫生, 2024, 45(11): 1644-1647, 1652. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024337 LI S P, LIANG D X, SU F, et al. Correlation of milk tea consumption with comorbid overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms among college students[J]. Chin J Sch Health, 2024, 45(11): 1644-1647, 1652. (in Chinese) doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024337
[22]	马彩霞, 马军, 宋逸, 等. 内蒙古地区学生超重肥胖与抑郁共患影响因素分析[J]. 中国学校卫生, 2023, 44(9): 1308-1312, 1318. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.09.007 MA C X, MA J, SONG Y, et al. Co-morbidity of overweight, obesity and depression and its influencing factors among students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region[J]. Chin J Sch Health, 2023, 44(9): 1308-1312, 1318. (in Chinese) doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2023.09.007
[23]	WANG V H, MIN J, XUE H, et al. What factors may contribute to sex differences in childhood obesity prevalence in China?[J]. Public Health Nutr, 2018, 21(11): 2056-2064. doi: 10.1017/S1368980018000290
[24]	CHENG S, JIA C, WANG Y. Only children were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among college students in China[J]. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020, 17(11): 4035. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17114035
[25]	陈瑜. 理工科大学生压力来源调查及心理干预对策[J]. 中国健康教育, 2015, 31(12): 1156-1159. CHEN Y. Investigation on stressors and strategies on mental health intervention among engineering college students[J]. Chin J Health Educ, 2015, 31(12): 1156-1159. (in Chinese)
[26]	RONFANI L, VECCHI B L, MARIUZ M, et al. The complex interaction between home environment, socioeconomic status, maternal IQ and early child neurocognitive development: a multivariate analysis of data collected in a newborn cohort study[J]. PLoS One, 2015, 10(5): e0127052. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127052
[27]	SYLVETSKY A C, VISEK A J, HALBERG S, et al. Beyond taste and easy access: physical, cognitive, interpersonal, and emotional reasons for sugary drink consumption among children and adolescents[J]. Appetite, 2020, 155: 104826. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.104826
[28]	RAUDSEPP L. Brief report: problematic social media use and sleep disturbances are longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents[J]. J Adolesc, 2019, 76: 197-201. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.09.005
[29]	JARRIN D C, MCGRATH J J, DRAKE C L. Beyond sleep duration: distinct sleep dimensions are associated with obesity in children and adolescent[J]. Int J Obes, 2013, 37(4): 552-558. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2013.4
[30]	VRIEND J L, DAVIDSON F D, CORKUM P V, et al. Manipulating sleep duration alters emotional functioning and cognitive performance in children[J]. J Pediatr Psychol, 2013, 38(10): 1058-1069. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst033
[31]	KNUTSONK L, CAUTER E. Associations between sleep loss and increased risk of obesity and diabetes[J]. Annals New York Acad Sci, 2008, 1129: 287-304. doi: 10.1196/annals.1417.033
[32]	王靓, 汪求真. 大学生睡眠质量与超重肥胖的相关性分析[J]. 青岛大学学报(自然科学版), 2022, 35(2): 23-28. WANG L, WANG Q Z. Analysis of the correlation between sleep quality and overweight-obesity of college students[J]. J Qingdao Univ (Nat Sci Ed), 2022, 35(2): 23-28. (in Chinese)
[33]	李逗逗, 肖蓉. 大学生失眠及其与压力感知的相关关系[J]. 南方医科大学学报, 2024, 44(4): 795-800. LI D D, XIAO R. Correlation of insomnia with perceived stress in college students[J]. J South Med Univ, 2024, 44(4): 795-800. (in Chinese)
[34]	彭飞, 苏吉, 朱岳梅. 大学生压力知觉与应对方式的关系[J]. 中国健康心理学杂志, 2017, 25(1): 79-83. PENG F, SU J, ZHU Y M. Relationship between perceived stress and coping styles of college students[J]. Chin J Health Psychol, 2017, 25(1): 79-83. (in Chinese)
[35]	GOLDSTEIN A N, GREER S M, SALETIN J M, et al. Tired and apprehensive: anxiety amplifies the impact of sleep loss on aversive brain anticipation[J]. J Neurosci, 2013, 33(26): 10607-10615. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5578-12.2013
[36]	KIM K M, HAN S M, HEO K, et al. Sex differences in the association between chronotype and risk of depression[J]. Sci Rep, 2020, 10(1): 18512. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75724-z