A study on the mental health and body weight of Chinese college students in the context of COVID-19: implications for educational practice

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the physical and mental health of college students. However, there is a lack of investigation into the psychological state and overweight/obesity prevalence among Chinese college students post-COVID-19. This study aims to provide evidence-based insights to guide mental health and weight management education for university students in China. Data from 4,484 Chinese college students (3,565 men and 919 women) were collected in 2022 and 2023, including symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) scale results and body mass index (BMI) measurements. Frequency analysis, independent and paired-samples <i>t</i>-tests, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS software. The results indicate that 12.4% of students were overweight/obese in 2023, with a higher prevalence among men (14.6%). Psychological abnormalities were observed in 8.7% of students, with a higher proportion in women (9.5%). Overweight/obese students showed no significant differences in 10 psychological indicators. Logistic regression analysis revealed that for every 1-point increase in somatization score, the odds of students being overweight/obese increased by 100.1% (men: 94.1%, women: 244.6%). Hostility scores were also associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity (overall increase of 78.1%; men: 69.5%, women: 272.2%). In contrast, a 1-point increase in phobic anxiety score was associated with lower odds of being overweight/obese (overall reduction of 67.5%; men: 54.0%, women: 298.8%). This study found that COVID-19 had a minimal impact on the body weight of Chinese college students but significantly affected their mental health. The obesity rate among female students has increased, with key psychological issues contributing to this trend, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, and depression. Specifically, somatization and hostility were positively associated with the odds of being overweight/obese, while phobic anxiety was negatively associated, with these effects being more pronounced in female students.