Going to study at university can be one of the most life-changing events in an individual’s life. At university, students (especially those in their first year) need to adapt to new academic and social interests in their preparation for a future profession as well as adapting to physical and psychological changes that are associated with the development of a self-sufficient independent life (Alim et al.
2017). At the beginning of their university life, students can face many challenges including loneliness, personal autonomy, self-confidence, academic performance, studying in the English language, heavy lecture schedules, pressure to succeed, future planning, and peer pressure from both family and friends (Asghar et al.
2019; Al Bahhawi et al.
2018; Beiter et al.
2015; Subhaluksuksakorn et al.
2016). Moreover, first-year students need to cope with a new residence (living away from their family in halls, dormitories, etc.), a new daily food pattern (often having to cater for themselves), a new study curriculum (including class lectures, laboratory classes, presentations, fieldwork, etc.), new friends, new teachers, and a wide range of new physical environments. These new conditions can sometimes impact on their weight status and their psychological well being.
The prevalence of weight-related health conditions (malnutrition and being underweight, or being overweight and obese) appears to be increasing worldwide in both developing and developed countries (as well as in Bangladesh where the present study was carried out). For instance, the prevalence of obesity has increased threefold in developing countries due to urbanization with increased consumption of high-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyle in the past 20 years (Ahmed et al.
2019; Hu
2008). While there are many studies on nutrition, weight status, and psychological wellbeing (particularly concerning depression) among emerging adults, there is a knowledge gap relating to weight status and psychological wellbeing among first-year university students in Bangladesh. A previous study of all university students (not just first-year) in Bangladesh reported that the prevalence rates of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese were 67.3%, 10.8%, 18.8%, and 3.1% respectively (Ahmed et al.
2019). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.9 billion and 650 million adults (18 years and older) were overweight and obese, respectively, in 2016 (World Health Organization
2018). In relation to psychological wellbeing, a study of Bangladeshi medical students reported that the prevalence of depression was 54.3% (Alim et al.,
2017). A more recent study of Bangladesh university students (not just first-year) reported that the prevalence of depression was 52.2% (Mamun et al.
2019). According to the WHO, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression globally (World Health Organization
2019).
Previous studies have reported several contributing factors to weight-related problems including socio-demographics and lifestyle-related factors. These include being female, infrequent daily meals, sedentary lifestyles, poor eating habits, irregular breakfasts, lack of physical exercise, and increased consumption of fast food and beverages (Al Bahhawi et al.
2018; Iqbal et al.
2015; Radzi et al.
2019). In relation to depression, there can be many contributory factors and associated behaviors including loneliness, lack of self-confidence, marital breakdown, family history of depression, lack of taking physical exercise, poor sleep habits, poor diet, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, (Arslane et al.
2009; Beiter et al.
2015; Lun et al.
2018).
At present, there is a knowledge gap among first-year university students in Bangladesh because there has been no previous study investing the prevalence of weight-related problems (being underweight, overweight, or obese) and psychological wellbeing (and more specifically depression). Consequently, the present study investigated weight-related status (i.e., the prevalence of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese) and prevalence of depression alongside associated predictors among first-year university students who lived in university accommodation at a Bangladeshi university.
Results
The descriptive statistics for all variables are presented in Table
1. The majority of respondents came from a rural area (59.4%), did not take regular daily physical exercise (54.7%), used the internet from 2 to 4 h daily (38.6%), were less than normal sleepers (71%), were satisfied with their sleep (56.4%), and read for less than 2 h daily (61.9%). The prevalence rates of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese were 66.8%, 20.3%, 9.7%, and 3.2% respectively. Based on the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, the prevalence rate of depression was 68.1%. Those with weight-related problems were significantly more likely than those of normal weight (i) to be female (χ
2 = 4.76,
df = 1,
p < 0.029), and (ii) not engage in daily physical exercise (χ
2 = 4.24,
df = 1,
p < 0.04). Those who were depressed were significantly more likely than those not depressed to (i) not engage in daily physical exercise (χ
2 = 7.26,
df = 1,
p < 0.007), (ii) use internet ranging from two to 4 h daily (χ
2 = 6.21,
df = 2,
p < 0.045), (iii) have unsatisfactory sleep quality (χ
2 = 34.27,
df = 1,
p < 0.001), and (iv) to be engaged in reading less than 2 h daily (χ
2 = 20.38,
df = 2,
p < 0.001).
Table 1
Distribution of variables and association with weight-related status and depression among first-year university students
Gender | Male | 209 | (51.7) | 150 | (71.8) | 59 | (28.2) | 146 | (69.9) | 63 | (30.1) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 150 | (55.6) | 59 | (44.0) | 4.764 | 1 | 0.029 | 146 | (53.1) | 63 | (48.8) | 0.636 | 1 | 0.425 |
Female | 195 | (48.3) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 120 | (61.5) | 75 | (38.5) | 129 | (66.2) | 66 | (33.8) | 120 | (44.4) | 75 | (56.0) | | | | 129 | (46.9) | 66 | (51.2) | | | |
Age | 17–20 | 343 | (84.9) | 119 | (72.1) | 46 | (27.9) | 122 | (73.9) | 43 | (26.1) | 107 | (60.1) | 71 | (39.9) | 116 | (65.2) | 62 | (34.8) | 226 | (83.7) | 117 | (87.3) | 0.910 | 1 | 0.340 | 238 | (86.5) | 105 | (81.4) | 1.817 | 1 | 0.178 |
21–23 | 61 | (15.1) | 31 | (70.5) | 13 | (29.5) | 24 | (54.5) | 20 | (45.5) | 13 | (76.5) | 4 | (23.5) | 13 | (76.5) | 4 | (23.5) | 44 | (16.3) | 17 | (12.7) | | | | 37 | (13.5) | 24 | (18.6) | | | |
Religion | Islam | 361 | (89.4) | 131 | (72.4) | 50 | (27.6) | 126 | (69.6) | 55 | (30.4) | 110 | (61.1) | 70 | (38.9) | 120 | (66.7) | 60 | (33.3) | 241 | (89.3) | 120 | (89.6) | 0.009 | 2 | 0.996 | 246 | (89.5) | 115 | (89.1) | 0.010 | 2 | 0.995 |
Hindu | 40 | (9.9) | 18 | (69.2) | 8 | (30.8) | 19 | (73.1) | 7 | (26.9) | 9 | (64.3) | 5 | (35.7) | 8 | (57.1) | 6 | (42.9) | 27 | (10.0) | 13 | (9.7) | | | | 27 | (9.8) | 13 | (10.1) | | | |
Buddha | 3 | (0.7) | 1 | (50.0) | 1 | (50.0) | 1 | (50.0) | 1 | (50.0) | 1 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 1 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 2 | (0.7) | 1 | (0.7) | | | | 2 | (0.7) | 1 | (0.8) | | | |
Number of siblings | 1–2 | 166 | (41.1) | 58 | (76.3) | 18 | (23.7) | 50 | (65.8) | 26 | (34.2) | 59 | (65.6) | 31 | (34.4) | 62 | (68.9) | 28 | (31.1) | 117 | (43.3) | 49 | (36.6) | 3.679 | 2 | 0.159 | 112 | (40.7) | 54 | (41.9) | 0.153 | 2 | 0.926 |
3–4 | 184 | (45.5) | 69 | (68.3) | 32 | (31.7) | 74 | (73.3) | 27 | (26.7) | 45 | (54.2) | 38 | (45.8) | 53 | (63.9) | 30 | (36.1) | 114 | (42.2) | 70 | (52.2) | | | | 127 | (46.2) | 57 | (44.2) | | | |
> 4 | 54 | (13.4) | 23 | (71.9) | 9 | (28.1) | 22 | (68.8) | 10 | (31.3) | 16 | (72.7) | 6 | (27.3) | 14 | (63.6) | 8 | (36.4) | 39 | (14.4) | 15 | (11.2) | | | | 36 | (13.1) | 18 | (14.0) | | | |
Monthly family income | Lower class | 115 | (28.5) | 62 | (75.6) | 20 | (24.4) | 52 | (63.4) | 30 | (36.6) | 19 | (57.6) | 14 | (42.4) | 23 | (69.7) | 10 | (30.3) | 81 | (30.0) | 34 | (25.4) | 1.634 | 2 | 0.442 | 75 | (27.3) | 40 | (31.0) | 1.145 | 2 | 0.564 |
Middle class | 95 | (23.5) | 36 | (75.0) | 12 | (25.0) | 36 | (75.0) | 12 | (25.0) | 23 | (48.9) | 24 | (51.1) | 27 | (57.4) | 20 | (42.6) | 59 | (21.9) | 36 | (26.9) | | | | 63 | (22.9) | 32 | (24.8) | | | |
Upper class | 194 | (48.0) | 52 | (65.8) | 27 | (34.2) | 58 | (73.4) | 21 | (26.6) | 78 | (67.8) | 37 | (32.2) | 79 | (68.7) | 36 | (31.3) | 130 | (48.1) | 64 | (47.8) | | | | 137 | (49.8) | 57 | (44.2) | | | |
Permanent residence | Rural | 240 | (59.4) | 101 | (73.7) | 36 | (26.3) | 94 | (68.6) | 43 | (31.4) | 64 | (62.1) | 39 | (37.9) | 68 | (66.0) | 35 | (34.0) | 165 | (61.1) | 75 | (56.0) | 0.981 | 1 | 0.322 | 162 | (58.9) | 78 | (60.5) | 1.145 | 2 | 0.564 |
Urban | 164 | (40.6) | 49 | (68.1) | 23 | (31.9) | 52 | (72.2) | 20 | (27.8) | 56 | (60.9) | 36 | (39.1) | 61 | (66.3) | 31 | (33.7) | 105 | (38.9) | 59 | (44.0) | | | | 113 | (41.1) | 51 | (39.5) | | | |
Daily physical exercise | Yes | 183 | (45.3) | 87 | (78.4) | 24 | (21.6) | 65 | (58.6) | 46 | (41.4) | 45 | (62.5) | 27 | (37.5) | 47 | (65.3) | 25 | (34.7) | 132 | (48.9) | 51 | (38.1) | 4.238 | 1 | 0.04 | 112 | (40.7) | 71 | (55.0) | 7.258 | 1 | 0.007 |
No | 221 | (54.7) | 63 | (64.3) | 35 | (35.7) | 81 | (82.7) | 17 | (17.3) | 75 | (61.0) | 48 | (39.0) | 82 | (66.7) | 41 | (33.3) | 138 | (51.1) | 83 | (61.9) | | | | 163 | (59.3) | 58 | (45.0) | | | |
Daily internet use (hours) | < 2 h | 141 | (34.9) | 67 | (76.1) | 21 | (23.9) | 57 | (64.8) | 31 | (35.2) | 27 | (50.9) | 26 | (49.1) | 29 | (54.7) | 24 | (45.3) | 94 | (34.8) | 47 | (35.1) | 0.141 | 2 | 0.932 | 86 | (31.3) | 55 | (42.6) | 6.213 | 2 | 0.045 |
2–4 h | 156 | (38.6) | 57 | (71.3) | 23 | (28.7) | 55 | (68.8) | 25 | (31.3) | 46 | (60.5) | 30 | (39.5) | 53 | (69.7) | 23 | (30.3) | 103 | (38.1) | 53 | (39.6) | | | | 108 | (39.3) | 48 | (37.2) | | | |
> 4 h | 107 | (26.5) | 26 | (63.4) | 15 | (36.6) | 34 | (82.9) | 7 | (17.1) | 47 | (71.2) | 19 | (28.8) | 47 | (71.2) | 19 | (28.8) | 73 | (27.0) | 34 | (25.4) | | | | 81 | (29.5) | 26 | (20.2) | | | |
Using social media | Yes | 400 | (99.0) | 147 | (71.4) | 59 | (28.6) | 145 | (70.4) | 61 | (29.6) | 119 | (61.3) | 75 | (38.7) | 128 | (66.0) | 66 | (34.0) | 266 | (98.5) | 134 | (100.0) | 2.005 | 1 | 0.157 | 273 | (99.3) | 127 | (98.4) | 0.607 | 1 | 0.436 |
No | 4 | (1.0) | 3 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 1 | (33.3) | 2 | (66.7) | 1 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 1 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 4 | (1.5) | 0 | (0.0) | | | | 2 | (0.7) | 2 | (1.6) | | | |
Playing video games | Yes | 112 | (27.7) | 64 | (77.1) | 19 | (22.9) | 62 | (74.7) | 21 | (25.3) | 15 | (51.7) | 14 | (48.3) | 22 | (75.9) | 7 | (24.1) | 79 | (29.3) | 33 | (24.6) | 0.959 | 1 | 0.327 | 84 | (30.5) | 28 | (21.7) | 3.425 | 1 | 0.064 |
No | 292 | (72.3) | 86 | (68.3) | 40 | (31.7) | 84 | (66.7) | 42 | (33.3) | 105 | (63.3) | 61 | (36.7) | 107 | (64.5) | 59 | (35.5) | 191 | (70.7) | 101 | (75.4) | | | | 191 | (69.5) | 101 | (78.3) | | | |
Sleeping status | Less than normal | 287 | (71.0) | 127 | (73.8) | 45 | (26.2) | 119 | (69.2) | 53 | (30.8) | 65 | (56.5) | 50 | (43.5) | 73 | (63.5) | 42 | (36.5) | 192 | (71.1) | 95 | (70.9) | 1.080 | 2 | 0.583 | 192 | (69.8) | 95 | (73.6) | 3.869 | 2 | 0.144 |
Normal (7–8 h) | 86 | (21.3) | 15 | (53.6) | 13 | (46.4) | 21 | (75.0) | 7 | (25.0) | 40 | (69.0) | 18 | (31.0) | 36 | (62.1) | 22 | (37.9) | 55 | (20.4) | 31 | (23.1) | | | | 57 | (20.7) | 29 | (22.5) | | | |
More than normal | 31 | (7.7) | 8 | (88.9) | 1 | (11.1) | 6 | (66.7) | 3 | (33.3) | 15 | (68.2) | 7 | (31.8) | 20 | (90.9) | 2 | (9.1) | 23 | (8.5) | 8 | (6.0) | | | | 26 | (9.5) | 5 | (3.9) | | | |
Sleeping satisfaction | Yes | 228 | (56.4) | 72 | (70.6) | 30 | (29.4) | 56 | (54.9) | 46 | (45.1) | 80 | (63.5) | 46 | (36.5) | 72 | (57.1) | 54 | (42.9) | 152 | (56.3) | 76 | (56.7) | 0.006 | 1 | 0.936 | 128 | (46.5) | 100 | (77.5) | 34.265 | 1 | < 0.001 |
No | 176 | (43.6) | 78 | (72.9) | 29 | (27.1) | 90 | (84.1) | 17 | (15.9) | 40 | (58.0) | 29 | (42.0) | 57 | (82.6) | 12 | (17.4) | 118 | (43.7) | 58 | (43.3) | | | | 147 | (53.5) | 29 | (22.5) | | | |
Reading hours | < 2 h | 250 | (61.9) | 111 | (72.1) | 43 | (27.9) | 115 | (74.7) | 39 | (25.3) | 55 | (57.3) | 41 | (42.7) | 72 | (75.0) | 24 | (25.0) | 166 | (61.5) | 84 | (62.7) | 5.861 | 2 | 0.053 | 187 | (68.0) | 63 | (48.8) | 20.38 | 2 | < 0.001 |
2–4 h | 95 | (23.5) | 26 | (72.2) | 10 | (27.8) | 18 | (50.0) | 18 | (50.0) | 45 | (76.3) | 14 | (23.7) | 29 | (49.2) | 30 | (50.8) | 71 | (26.3) | 24 | (17.9) | | | | 47 | (17.1) | 48 | (37.2) | | | |
> 4 h | 59 | (14.6) | 13 | (68.4) | 6 | (31.6) | 13 | (68.4) | 6 | (31.6) | 20 | (50.0) | 20 | (50.0) | 28 | (70.0) | 12 | (30.0) | 33 | (12.2) | 26 | (19.4) | | | | 41 | (14.9) | 18 | (14.0) | | | |
Weight-related status | Normal | 270 | (66.8) | 150 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 105 | (70.0) | 45 | (30.0) | 120 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 78 | (65.0) | 42 | (35.0) | 270 | (100) | 0 | (0.0) | – | – | – | 183 | (66.5) | 87 | (67.4) | 0.032 | 1 | 0.858 |
Non-normal | 134 | (33.2) | 0 | (0.0) | 59 | (100.0) | 41 | (69.5) | 18 | (30.5) | 0 | (0.0) | 75 | (100.0) | 51 | (68.0) | 24 | (32.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 134 | (100) | | | | 92 | (33.5) | 42 | (32.6) | | | |
Depression | Yes | 275 | (68.1) | 105 | (71.9) | 41 | (28.1) | 146 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 78 | (60.5) | 51 | (39.5) | 129 | (100.0) | 0 | (0.0) | 183 | (67.8) | 92 | (68.7) | 0.032 | 1 | 0.858 | 275 | (100) | 0 | (0.0) | – | – | – |
No | 129 | (31.9) | 45 | (71.4) | 18 | (28.6) | 0 | (0.0) | 63 | (100.0) | 42 | (63.6) | 24 | (36.4) | 0 | (0.0) | 66 | (100.0) | 87 | (32.2) | 42 | (31.3) | | | | 0 | (0.0) | 129 | (100) | | | |
A binary regression analysis was performed to assess the significant associations between dependent and independent variables displayed in Table
2. Males were 0.63 times less likely than females to have weight-related problems (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.42–0.96,
p = 0.03). Those engaged in daily physical exercise were 0.64 times less likely than those not engaging in daily physical exercise to have weight-related problems (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.42–0.98,
p = 0.04). Those engaged in daily physical exercise were 0.56 times less likely than those not engaged in daily physical exercise to be depressed (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.368–0.856,
p = 0.007). Those using the internet less than 2 h daily were 0.5 times less likely than those using the internet more than 4 h daily to be depressed (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.29–0.88,
p = 0.015). Those having satisfactory sleep quality were 0.25 times less likely than those having unsatisfactory sleep quality to be depressed (OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.157–0.407,
p < 0.001). Those engaging in reading two to 4 h daily were 0.43 times less likely than those engaging in reading more than 4 h daily to be depressed (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.22–0.85,
p = 0.016).
Table 2
Regression analysis of variables by weight-related status and depression among first-year university students
Gender | Male | 0.629 | (0.415–0.955) | 0.03 | 1.186 | (0.780–1.802) | 0.425 |
Female | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Age | 17–20 | 1.340 | (0.733–2.448) | 0.341 | 1.470 | (0.838–2.581) | 0.179 |
21–23 | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Religion | Islam | 0.996 | (0.089–11.092) | 0.997 | 1.070 | (0.096–11.916) | 0.956 |
Hinduism | 0.963 | (0.080–11.614) | 0.976 | 1.038 | (0.086–12.525) | 0.976 |
Buddhism | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Number of siblings | 1–2 | 1.089 | (0.550–2.155) | 0.807 | 1.037 | (0.540–1.991) | 0.913 |
3–4 | 1.596 | (0.820–3.107) | 0.168 | 1.114 | (0.584–2.126) | 0.743 |
> 4 | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Monthly family income | Lower class | 0.853 | (0.517–1.406) | 0.532 | 0.780 | 0.477–1.277) | 0.323 |
Middle class | 1.239 | (0.743–2.067) | 0.411 | 0.819 | (0.484–1.386) | 0.457 |
Upper class | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Permanent residence | Rural | 0.809 | (0.532–1.231) | 0.322 | 0.937 | (0.612–1.437) | 0.767 |
Urban | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Daily physical exercise | Yes | 0.642 | (0.421–0.980) | 0.04 | 0.561 | (0.368–0.856) | 0.007 |
No | Reference | | | | Reference | |
Daily internet use (hours) | < 2 h | 1.074 | (0.628–1.836) | 0.796 | 0.502 | (0.288–0.876) | 0.015 |
2–4 h | 1.105 | (0.654–1.867) | 0.710 | 0.722 | (0.414–1.261) | 0.253 |
> 4 h | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Using social media | No | 0.000 | (0.000–0.000) | 0.999 | 0.465 | (0.065–3.340) | 0.447 |
Yes | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Playing video games | Yes | 0.790 | (0.493–1.267) | 0.328 | 1.586 | (0.971–2.592) | 0.065 |
No | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Sleeping status | Less than normal | 1.423 | (0.613–3.299) | 0.412 | 0.389 | 0.145–1.044) | 0.061 |
Normal (7–8 h) | 1.620 | 0.648–4.054) | 0.302 | 0.378 | (0.131–1.087) | 0.071 |
More than normal | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Sleeping satisfaction | Yes | 1.017 | (0.670–1.545) | 0.936 | 0.253 | (0.157–0.407) | < 0.001 |
No | Reference | | | Reference | | |
Reading hours | < 2 h | 0.642 | (0.361–1.144) | 0.133 | 1.303 | (0.699–2.431) | 0.405 |
2–4 h | 0.429 | (0.215–0.857) | 0.16 | 0.430 | (0.217–0.853) | 0.016 |
> 4 h | Reference | | | Reference | | |
BMI | Normal | – | – | – | 1.041 | (0.667–1.626) | 0.858 |
Non-normal | | | | Reference | | |
Depression | Yes | 1.041 | (0.667–1.626) | 0.858 | – | – | – |
No | Reference | | | | | |
Discussion
First-year university students are potentially vulnerable individuals and, as a consequence, they may engage in unhealthy dietary habits and have sedentary lifestyles that affect their physical and psychological wellbeing (Ahmed et al.
2019). Although weight-related status and the psychological wellbeing of university students have been much studied by researchers globally, there are very few data about these issues in Bangladesh. Only a few studies have been conducted in Bangladesh with regard to weight-related status and psychological wellbeing. Consequently, there is a knowledge gap in Bangladesh which is why the present study addressed these issues among first-year university students in Bangladesh.
The present study found that the prevalence of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese were 66.8%, 20.3%, 9.7%, and 3.2%, respectively. These findings indicated that one-third of the first-year university students (33.2%) had weight-related problems (at least to some extent) in the present sample (i.e., being underweight, overweight, or obese). Compared with a previous study in Bangladesh among all university students (not just first-years) (Ahmed et al.
2019), the prevalence of being normal weight (66.8% vs. 67.3%), underweight (20.3% vs. 10.8%), overweight (9.7% vs. 18.8%), or obese (3.2% vs. 3.1%) were different in the present sample because participants here were much more underweight and much less overweight. The present study also reported that a prevalence rate for depression as 68.1% which is higher than the previous studies of first-year medical college students (54.3%; Alim et al.
2017) and a recent study of all university students (not just first-years) in Bangladesh (52.2%; Mamun, et al.
2019). However, such differences may have been due to the different screening instruments used to assess depression.
In an Asian context, compared with previous studies, the prevalence of being underweight, overweight or obese in the present study was generally higher than in studies among students in India (13.7%, 11.7%, and 2.01%; Chhabra, et al.
2006), Saudi Arabia (18.7%, 11.6%, and 6%; Majeed
2015), and Turkey (9.6%, 15.1%, and 3%; Uluöz
2016), but less than in Pakistan (26.5%, 14.8%, and 11.9%; Asghar et al.
2019), Malaysia (7.1%, 21.7%, and 16.8%; Radzi et al.
2019), and China (20.68%, 11.07%, and 17.6%; Subhaluksuksakorn et al.
2016). In the global context, compared with the previous studies, the prevalence of depression in the present study was higher than in studies among students in India (43.7%; Kumari et al.
2019), Pakistan (51.3%; Iqbal et al.
2015), China (11.7%; Chen et al.
2013), the Maldives (28.9%; Shanoora & Nawaza
2018), Malaysia (37.2%; Shamsuddin et al.
2013), Saudi Arabia (53.6%; Al Bahhawi et al.
2018), Jordan (24.6%; Hamaideh
2018), Turkey (21.8%; Arslan et al.
2009), Egypt (65%; Fawzy & Hamed
2017), and the USA (23%; Beiter et al.
2015) but less than in Hong Kong (68.5%; Lun et al.
2018).
The present study’s findings indicated that (i) being female and (ii) lack of physical exercise were significant predictors of weight-related problems (see Table
2). Compared with previous studies, there were also significant associations between gender (females being more likely to have weight-related problems than male) in Bangladesh (Ahmed et al.
2019), Pakistan (Asghar et al.
2019), and China (Subhaluksuksakorn et al.
2016). However, a previous study in Turkey reported that males were more likely to have weight-related problems than females (Uluöz
2016). A previous study in Saudi Arabia also reported that those engaging in less physical exercise were more likely to have weight-related problems than those engaging in regular physical exercise (Majeed
2015), as found in the present study.
In the present study, no statistically significant association was found between any of the socio-demographic variables (including gender, age, religion, number of siblings, monthly family income, and residence area) and depression (see Table
1). Compared with previous studies among university students, there was also no significant association between socio-demographic variables (including gender, age, religion, number of siblings, monthly family income, and residence area) and depression in Bangladesh (Alim et al.
2017), Hong Kong (Lun et al.
2018), and Turkey (Arslan et al.
2009). A previous study among Indian university students also reported that there was no significant relationship between depression and socio-demographic variables (i.e., gender, age, monthly family income, and residence area) except for relationship with parents (i.e., those not having a good relationship with their parents were more likely to be depressed than those having a good relationship with their parent) and course (i.e., those on a medical course more likely to be depressed than those on an engineering course) (Kumari et al.
2019).
A previous study in Pakistan among medical students reported a significant relationship between socio-demographic variables including gender (i.e., females were more likely to be depressed than males) and age (i.e., younger individuals were more likely to be depressed than older individuals) (Iqbal et al.
2015). A previous study among Malaysian university students reported no significant relationship between some socio-demographic variables (i.e., gender, ethnicity, study major, monthly family income) and depression (Shamsuddin et al.
2013). However, the same study reported significant differences with regard to age (i.e., students older than 20 years were more likely to be depressed than those aged 19 years or younger) and permanent residence (i.e., those coming from rural areas were more likely to be depressed than those coming from urban areas).
The present study indicated that the significant predictors of depression were (i) less engagement in regular exercise, (ii) using the internet more than 4 h daily, (iii) having unsatisfactory sleep quality, and (iv) engaging in studies more than 4 h daily (see Table
2). This compares with a recent Bangladeshi study (i.e., Mamun et al.
2019) which reported significant associations concerning socio-economic status (i.e., those coming from a lower-class family more likely to be depressed than those coming from middle- and higher-class families), physical exercise (i.e., those engaging in less physical exercise more likely to be depressed than those engaging regular physical exercise), and smoking (i.e., cigarette smokers more likely to be depressed than those being non-smokers) and depression. A previous study in Hong Kong reported physical exercise was a significant predictor of depression (i.e., those engaging in less physical exercise more likely to be depressed than those engaging regular physical exercise) (Lun et al.
2018). Previous studies have also reported that depression was associated with taking less physical exercise, poor sleep habits, poor diet, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption (Arslan et al.
2009; Beiter et al.
2015; Lun et al.
2018).
Finally, it should be reiterated that the prevalence rates of being normal weight (66.8%), underweight (20.3%), overweight (9.7%), and obese (3.2%) among first-year university students in Bangladesh were relatively higher (33.2% weight-related problems) compared with the aforementioned studies carried out in other countries. The present study found that the most significant predictors associated with the high prevalence of weight-related problems were being female and a lack of physical exercise. Other factors that were not investigated in the present study but which may have contributed to the high prevalence rates include infrequent daily meals, sedentary lifestyle, eating habits, irregular breakfast, and increased consumption of fast food and beverages (Al Bahhawi et al.
2018; Iqbal et al.
2015; Radzi et al.
2019).
The prevalence rate of depression (68.1%) among first-year university students in Bangladesh was relatively high compared with the aforementioned studies carried out in other countries. The present study found that the most significant predictors associated with depression were lack of physical exercise, unsatisfactory sleep quality, excessive use of the internet, and reading for more than 4 h daily. Other factors that were not investigated in the present study but which may have contributed to the high prevalence of depression include relationship problems, loneliness, personal autonomy, self-confidence, any chronic disease, family history of depression, family and peer pressure, academic performance, studying in English language, heavy lecture schedule, pressure to succeed, and future career planning (Asghar et al.
2019; Al Bahhawi et al.
2018; Beiter et al.
2015; Subhaluksuksakorn et al.
2016).
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