Factors affecting Overweight among Students at Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight among youth and university students has been increasing, which affects their physical health, mental health, and overall quality of life in long term. The objective of this study was to examine factors influencing overweight among students at Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. Samples were 214 undergraduate students. Research instruments included a mental health questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.86 and a dietary behavior questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.84. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including means, percentages, standard deviations and stepwise multiple regression analyses with a significance level of 0.05.

The results revealed that most participants had a normal body weight (77.6%), no underlying diseases (89.3%), did not exercise (51.9%), had a history of smoking (5.10%), and had consumed alcoholic beverages (59.3%). Regarding mental health, 41.6% were within the normal range, and 89.8% demonstrated moderate levels of appropriate dietary behavior. The variable that significantly affected overweight among students was gender (β=0.199, p<0.004), explaining 3.9% of the variance in overweight (R²=0.039, p<0.05).

Relevant agencies should continuously develop activities and strategies to promote healthy behaviors among university students in order to reduce the risk of overweight. Programs may consider sex differences in their design, such as tailoring activities or approaches to be appropriate for each sex, to enhance the effectiveness of promoting proper health behaviors among students.