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The Association Between BMI and Depression Symptoms Among College Students: A Study Based on Random Intercept
Jiahao Wang1, Rong Fan1, Jinbo Hou2
1School of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Body Mass Index (BMI) and depressive symptoms in college students are linked, primarily reflecting stable individual differences, not dynamic changes. This bidirectional relationship highlights the importance of considering stable traits in student mental health research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Longitudinal Studies
Background:
- College students face unique stressors impacting mental and physical health.
- The relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and depressive symptoms requires longitudinal investigation.
- Understanding gender-specific associations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal association between BMI and depressive symptoms in college students.
- To determine if this association differs between genders.
- To differentiate between-person differences and within-person changes in the BMI-depressive symptoms relationship.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative longitudinal design with 1336 college students over three years.
- Assessment of depressive symptoms using SCL-90 and BMI via objective measurements.
- Analysis using random intercept cross-lagged models to explore temporal associations and gender differences.
Main Results:
- A negative bidirectional predictive effect was found between BMI and depressive symptoms.
- Higher stable BMI traits correlated with higher stable depressive symptom traits (between-person level).
- Intra-individual fluctuations in BMI and depressive symptoms were not significantly correlated; gender differences were noted, with more complex dynamics in males.
Conclusions:
- The association between BMI and depressive symptoms in college students primarily reflects stable individual differences.
- Intra-individual dynamic effects are less significant in this population.
- Distinguishing between-person differences from within-person changes is vital for understanding college student physical and mental health.
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