Identifying factors associated with obesity traits in undergraduate students: a scoping review

Rita E. Morassut (), Chenchen Tian () and David Meyre ()
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Rita E. Morassut: McMaster University
Chenchen Tian: McMaster University
David Meyre: McMaster University

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 7, No 22, 1193-1204

Abstract: Abstract Objectives This scoping review identifies factors associated with obesity traits including body mass index, weight, and body fat percentage in undergraduate students. Methods We searched CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO for original studies of undergraduate students where an obesity trait was associated with a risk factor. Results Two-hundred sixty-eight articles were included comprising of 251 studies: 186 cross-sectional, 50 cohort, 11 interventional, and 4 qualitative. We extracted data on risk/protective factors, obesity traits, and the direction of effect between them. We identified a variety of factors including age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, diet, eating habits, physical activity, sedentary activity, sleep, stress, university campus life, alcohol use, smoking, psychiatric disorders, body image, eating attitude, eating regulation, personality, sociocultural influences, and genetics. The majority of associations were cross-sectional. For longitudinal findings, usually only one study investigated each trait. Conclusions This review identifies a need for higher quality evidence to support results from cross-sectional studies and replication of findings of longitudinal studies. This review identifies gaps in the literature, generates hypotheses, guides researchers to plan future studies, and helps decision-makers design obesity-prevention programs in universities.

Keywords: Undergraduate students; Obesity; Freshman fifteen; Risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01458-4

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