scholarly journals Weight-Loss Supplement Use as a Potential Trigger for Mood Changes Among College Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 840-840
Author(s):  
Lina Begdache ◽  
Hamed Kianmehr ◽  
Allison Pamper ◽  
Nadine Zeeni ◽  
Estelle El-Khoury
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Mood Changes

Abstract Objectives Weight loss supplements (WLS) are commonly used among college students. Although these supplements work through different mechanisms, many of them are sympathomimetic that may impact mental wellbeing. College students are inherently at risk of mental distress; therefore, use of these stimulants may exacerbate their response to stress and increase their risk of anxiety and depression. The purpose of the present study was to assess the pattern of use and perception of WLS among college students, and its association with reported mental distress symptoms. Methods Data were collected through an online questionnaire targeting US college students through social media platforms. A parallel study took place at an institution of higher education in Lebanon, a Middle Eastern country where college students commonly use WLS. The questionnaire included demographic questions such as gender, age, self-reported height and weight, hours of sleep, frequency of exercise, class, major and GPA. It also included questions on frequency of dieting, weight loss supplement use, perception, and symptoms associated with use. Results A total of 583 college students completed the survey. Random Forest Analysis produced a model of 0.98% accuracy with AUC = 0.993, which classified weight loss supplements as the most significant factor associated with mood changes in college students followed by academic class, exercise, GPA, gender, sleep, age and major. To confirm the directionality of these associations, a logistic regression analysis suggested that WLS strongly associated with symptoms of mood changes, followed by a low GPA and being a female. Conversely, upperclassmen, good sleep quality, being 23 years or older, and non- science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors inversely correlated with mood changes. A principal component analysis suggested a pattern for frequent dieting, weight loss supplement use and heavy exercise among men, and a pattern of frequent dieting, combining WLS, low quality sleep and no exercise among women. Conclusions Use of WLS among college students may be worsening their psychological status. In addition, there is a differential pattern of use among men and women that is worth further investigation. Funding Sources Experiment.com.

scholarly journals Customization of Diet May Promote Exercise and Improve Mental Wellbeing in Mature Adults: The Role of Exercise as a Mediator

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Lina Begdache ◽  
Cara M. Patrissy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Practices

Diet, dietary practices and exercise are modifiable risk factors for individuals living with mental distress. However, these relationships are intricate and multilayered in such a way that individual factors may influence mental health differently when combined within a pattern. Additionally, two important factors that need to be considered are gender and level of brain maturity. Therefore, it is essential to assess these modifiable risk factors based on gender and age group. The purpose of the study was to explore the combined and individual relationships between food groups, dietary practices and exercise to appreciate their association with mental distress in mature men and women. Adults 30 years and older were invited to complete the food–mood questionnaire. The anonymous questionnaire link was circulated on several social media platforms. A multi-analyses approach was used. A combination of data mining techniques, namely, a mediation regression analysis, the K-means clustering and principal component analysis as well as Spearman’s rank–order correlation were used to explore these research questions. The results suggest that women’s mental health has a higher association with dietary factors than men. Mental distress and exercise frequency were associated with different dietary and lifestyle patterns, which support the concept of customizing diet and lifestyle factors to improve mental wellbeing.

scholarly journals Use of Personal Listening Devices and Knowledge/Attitude for Greater Hearing Conservation in College Students: Data Analysis and Regression Model Based on 1009 Respondents

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2934
Author(s):  
Sunghwa You ◽  
Chanbeom Kwak ◽  
Woojae Han
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Survey Tool

Given the concern regarding increased hearing loss in young people who use personal listening devices (PLDs), the present study analyzes the experience of PLDs among college students to identify their knowledge of and attitude toward hearing conservation. It also explains their relationship between knowledge of hearing loss and attitude-related hearing conservation as a questionnaire response using a regression model. A total of 1009 Korean college students responded to an online questionnaire. As a survey tool, the Personal Listening Device and Hearing Questionnaire was adapted as a Korean version with 78 modified items under 9 categories. Using principal component analysis, specific factors were extracted, and their relationships and paths were confirmed using multiple regression analysis. The results of the knowledge category of the questionnaire indicate that most respondents knew how to maintain healthy hearing and understood the signs of hearing loss. Regardless, many college students habitually use PLDs at high levels in noisy environments; they do not recognize how to prevent hearing loss. Even though they continue their current use pattern for PLDs, they also had a positive attitude toward receiving more information about hearing conservation. According to the regression model, the students’ self-reported hearing deficits were due to the volume rather than the frequent use. Interestingly, knowledge about hearing loss may encourage students to develop a positive attitude toward reasonable restriction of PLD use. When PLD users have detailed knowledge about the hearing loss provided by professionals, we believe that most will avoid serious hearing problems and its risks and maintain a judicious attitude toward their own conservation.

scholarly journals Chinese College Students' Stress and Anxiety Levels Under COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huali Zhan ◽  
Chunmei Zheng ◽  
Xianqin Zhang ◽  
Meng Yang ◽  
Lin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
R Language ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Returning To School

The outbreak of COVID-19 at the end of 2019 has had a significant impact on people. While attention is paid to the immense physical harm it has caused, the psychological impact should not be underestimated. The main purpose of this study was to explore the stress, anxiety, and depression levels of different groups of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online questionnaire survey of college students by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). A total of 1,586 questionnaires were collected and analyzed in R language. The results showed that students with moderate to severe stress (PSS-10 ≥ 14) accounted for 67.50%; the detection rate of depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) reached 43.77%; and 20.60% of students had anxiety (SAS standard score ≥ 50). There were significant differences in PSS-10/SAS among different genders, majors, whether returning to school or not, and those with different psychological experiences (negative or positive, P < 0.05). It is notable that the median of female, medical student, non-resumption of schooling, and negative experience was higher than that of positive experience (P < 0.05). The results of principal component analysis showed that there were significant differences in PHQ-9, PSS-10, and SAS between the resumption of schooling group and the non-resumption group. Therefore, it is inferred that the stress and anxiety level of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic is generally high, especially for those who have not yet resumed school. Long-term negative emotions can easily lead to serious mental diseases such as cognitive impairment. Education departments should attach great importance to the mental health of college students, and it is necessary to provide precise psychological interventions for groups experiencing greater pressure levels and marked anxiety and depression.

scholarly journals The Effect of Dietary Patterns on Mental Distress in Males and Females: Results from a Large Cross-Sectional Study Among an International Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1202-1202
Author(s):  
Gia DeRose ◽  
Lina Begdache
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess dietary factors that associate with mental health in males and females. Methods A validated Food-Mood (FMQ) survey was distributed anonymously using several social media platforms targeting adults ages 18 years and above. Data was partitioned based on gender. Classification of young versus mature adults was based on level of brain maturity as evidenced in the literature. A Pearson's correlation analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were performed on the categorized data using (SPSS) version 25.0. Results A total of 2637 individuals (1789 females and 848 males) completed the survey. Respondents were from North and Central Americas, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Correlational studies identified common and differential food groups that associate with mental distress in men and women. PCA results identified three different patterns for both males and females, which also confirmed common and differential dietary factors that associate with mental health. The first pattern suggests that mental distress in young males (18–29 years) associates with fast food and high glycemic index (HGI) food. For females, high consumption of dairy, fast food, and caffeine associates with mental distress. Both patterns reflect unbalanced diets. The second pattern suggests that absence of mental distress in mature males and females (30 years or older) associates with a spectrum of nutrient-dense food; however different factor loadings propose that food groups may have a different effect on mental distress among genders. The third pattern indicates that mental wellbeing among mature males and females with a moderately healthy diet associates with region of residency in both mature genders, and with higher education among mature females. These facts imply that environmental factors that may impact the brain counteract the flaws of the diet. Conclusions A nutrient dense diet may support a positive mood among males and females. However, customization of diet may optimize mood in both genders. Additionally, continent of residence may affect equally mental distress in males and females. However, mature females with a higher educational level may be able to counteract some of the dietary triggers of mental distress. Funding Sources The authors received no specific funding for this work.

scholarly journals On the Move: Principal Components of the Functions and Experiences of Mobile Music Listening

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205920432110328
Author(s):  
Mia Kuch ◽  
Clemens Wöllner
Keyword(s):  
Life Experiences ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Mood Management ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Mobile Music ◽  
Deep Listening

Mobile music listening is widely recognized as an integral part of everyday music use. It is also a rather peculiar experience, since the listeners are surrounded by strangers in public and at the same time engaged in a solitary and private activity. The current study aimed at investigating the functions and experiences of mobile listening with a quantitative online questionnaire, and collected further information about mobile listening situations and listening habits. Among respondents ( n = 203), 89% reported listening to music while being on the move. We found mood-related and cognitive functions to be most prevalent (e.g., enhancing mood, relaxation, prevention of being bored), whereas least important functions relate to social dimensions (e.g., feeling less lonely, feeling less watched). Regarding experiences of mobile music, respondents most commonly adapted their mood to the music and lost touch with the current surroundings. A principal component analysis on ratings of functions and experiences resulted in an underlying structure of five dimensions, representing different levels of involvement: (1) Mood Management comprises functions to satisfy individual needs; (2) Absorption and Aestheticization encompasses deep listening experiences and altered perception of the surroundings; (3) Social Encapsulation and Self-Focus describe the distancing of oneself and changes in attention; (4) Distraction and Passing Time include the prevention of being bored and making time pass faster; and (5) Auditory Background is defined by a non-attentive and rather unaffected music listening. These results highlight the immersiveness of mobile music listening. By creating an individual soundworld, listeners distance themselves from the surroundings aurally and mentally, and modify their attention, perception, moods, and emotions, leading to an improvement of daily life experiences while moving.

scholarly journals Diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Mental Distress among Young and Mature Men and Women: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Lina Begdache ◽  
Saloumeh Sadeghzadeh ◽  
Gia Derose ◽  
Cassandra Abrams
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Brain Morphology ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Negatively Associated

Customization of mental health therapies needs to consider the differences in degree of brain maturity between young (18–29 years) and mature (30 years or older) adults as well as brain morphology among men and women. The aim of this study was to identify the significant dietary and lifestyle contributors to mental distress in these sub-populations. Independent repeated cross-sectional sampling was performed for over a 5-year period (2014–2019) to collect data from different populations at different time-points and seasons. A backward stepwise regression analysis was used on 2628 records. Mental distress in young women was associated with high consumption of caffeine and fast-food, and it was negatively correlated with moderate-high levels of exercise as well as frequent breakfast consumption. Mature women shared several common factors with young women; however, high fruit consumption was negatively associated with mental distress. For young men, high exercise, moderate consumption of dairy, and moderate-high intake of meat were negatively associated with mental distress. In addition, high fast-food and caffeine consumption were positively associated with mental distress in young men. For mature men, strong negative associations between higher education, moderate intake of nuts and mental distress surfaced. Our results support the need to customize dietary and lifestyle recommendations to improve mental wellbeing.

scholarly journals Psychological reaction to Covid-19 of Italian patients with IBD

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariarosaria Savarese ◽  
Greta Castellini ◽  
Salvatore Leone ◽  
Enrica Previtali ◽  
Alessandro Armuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Italian Association ◽  
Psychological Reaction ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on disease management and psychological status. This study explored psychological reactions to the Covid-19 emergency and IBD disease management in a sample of Italian patients. Methods An online questionnaire was designed to assess general concerns, psychological reaction, disease management, socio-demographics, and clinical information with validated scales and ad hoc items. A non-probabilistic purposive sample was selected, comprised patients with IBD who belonged to the Italian Association for patients with IBD (AMICI Onlus) completed the questionnaire in April 2020. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, student’s T-test for independent groups, and one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Results One thousand fourteen eligible questionnaires were analyzed. Italian patients with IBD appeared to be very worried about the Covid-19 emergency (60.7%) and concerned about the risks of infection (59%). Half of the sample reported medium to high-perceived stress, and 74% had low-medium coping self-efficacy levels. One third was in a state of psychological arousal. Twenty-nine percent of patients had canceled hospital appointments for fear of contracting the virus. The majority of responders believed that belonging to the Italian Association for Patients with IBD - AMICI Onlus - is useful. Conclusions The results revealed that this sample of Italian patients with IBD lived with medium level of stress and with inadequate coping self-efficacy regarding disease management. Accordingly, Covid-19 may affect self-management behaviors. Therefore, national and regional associations for patients with IBD, should largely support these patients in this emergency.

Investigation on the psychological status of college students during the coronavirus disease-2019 epidemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hong-Tao Song ◽  
Chuan-Hui Ge ◽  
Lei-Xin Chang ◽  
Ting-Ting Zhao ◽  
Wei Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Psychological Status

scholarly journals A clinical course of a patient with anorexia nervosa receiving surgery for superior mesenteric artery syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Kurisu ◽  
Yukari Yamanaka ◽  
Tadahiro Yamazaki ◽  
Ryo Yoneda ◽  
Makoto Otani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Superior Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Rare Complication ◽  
Nutrition Therapy ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Sma Syndrome

Abstract Background Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a well-known but relatively rare complication of anorexia nervosa. Although several reports have proposed surgery for SMA syndrome associated with anorexia nervosa, these have shown poor outcomes or did not reveal the long-term weight course. Thus, the long-term effectiveness of surgery for SMA syndrome in such cases remains unclear. This case report describes a patient with anorexia nervosa who underwent surgery for SMA syndrome. Case presentation An 18-year-old woman presented with anorexia nervosa when she was 16 years old. She also presented with SMA syndrome, which seemed to be caused by weight loss due to the eating disorder. Nutrition therapy initially improved her body weight, but she ceased treatment. She reported that symptoms related to SMA syndrome had led to her weight loss and desired to undergo surgery. Laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy was performed, but her body weight did not improve after the surgery. The patient eventually received conservative nutritional treatment along with psychological approaches, which led to an improvement in her body weight. Conclusions The case implies that surgery for SMA syndrome in patients with anorexia nervosa is ineffective for long-term weight recovery and that conservative treatment can sufficiently improve body weight; this is consistent with the lack of evidence on the topic and reports on potential complications of surgery. Due to difficulties in assessing psychological status, consultation with specialists on eating disorders is necessary for treating patients with severely low body weight.

Predictors of Academic Self-Concept for African American College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 636-653
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Franklin ◽  
Scott M. Debb ◽  
Darlene G. Colson
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
African American ◽  
Racial Identity ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
African American College Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Historically Black University

This study explored the roles of demographic variables, grade point average, centrality (an aspect of racial identity), and student-professor interactions in predicting academic self-concept. A convenience sample of 132 African American students (104 females and 28 males) ranging in age from 18 to 38 ( Mage = 26), attending a historically Black university completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic information, grade point average, an aspect of racial identity from the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, student-professor interactions, and academic self-concept. Results showed that grade point average and student-professor interactions characterized by faculty’s level of care were significant factors in predicting academic self-concept. These relationships may be important for understanding salient factors that influence the academic self-concept in African American college students.

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