Stress, Health Behaviors, and Blood Pressure in College Students

Background: College students face multiple stressors, yet few studies have simultaneously examined associations between blood pressure, health behaviors (diet, physical activity, weight management, alcohol, tobacco, sleep), depressive symptoms, and perceived stress after multivariable adjustment. This cross-sectional study investigated these associations in a diverse university sample. Methods: = 0.05) was used to identify predictors of stress while controlling for demographics, health behaviors, and clinical variables. Results: = 0.008) was associated with lower stress. Systolic blood pressure, sleep duration, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use were not significant predictors. Conclusions: In this university sample, elevated depressive symptoms and diastolic blood pressure were associated with higher perceived stress, whereas healthy dietary practices and weight management behaviors were associated with lower stress. These associations suggest potential targets for campus wellness programs; however, longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal relationships and intervention efficacy.