scholarly journals Neurotensin and Xenin Show Positive Correlations With Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depressiveness and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Female Obese Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Wölk ◽  
Andreas Stengel ◽  
Selina Johanna Schaper ◽  
Matthias Rose ◽  
Tobias Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Psychometric Tests ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Acute And Chronic Stress ◽  
Somatic Comorbidities ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Psychometric Values

ObjectiveNeurotensin and xenin are two closely related anorexigenic neuropeptides synthesized in the small intestine that exert diverse peripheral and central functions. Both act via the neurotensin-1-receptor. In animal models of obesity reduced central concentrations of these peptides have been found. Dysregulations of the acute and chronic stress response are associated with development and maintenance of obesity. Until now, associations of both peptides with stress, anxiety, depressiveness, and eating disorder symptoms have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine associations of neurotensin and xenin with these psychological characteristics under conditions of obesity.Materials and MethodsFrom 2010 to 2016 we consecutively enrolled 160 inpatients (63 men and 97 women), admitted due to obesity and its mental and somatic comorbidities. Blood withdrawal und psychometric tests (PSQ-20, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and EDI-2) occurred within one week after admission. We measured levels of neurotensin and xenin in plasma by ELISA.ResultsMean body mass index was 47.2 ± 9.5 kg/m2. Concentrations of neurotensin and xenin positively correlated with each other (women: r = 0.788, p < 0.001; men: r = 0.731, p < 0.001) and did not significantly differ between sexes (p > 0.05). Women generally displayed higher psychometric values than men (PSQ-20: 58.2 ± 21.7 vs. 47.0 ± 20.8, p = 0.002; GAD-7: 9.7 ± 5.8 vs. 7.1 ± 5.3, p = 0.004; PHQ-9: 11.6 ± 6.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.9, p = 0.008; EDI-2: 50.5 ± 12.8 vs. 39.7 ± 11.9, p < 0.001). Only women showed positive correlations of both neuropeptides with stress (neurotensin: r = 0.231, p = 0.023; xenin: r = 0.254, p = 0.013), anxiety (neurotensin: r = 0.265, p = 0.009; xenin: r = 0.257, p = 0.012), depressiveness (neurotensin: r = 0.281, p = 0.006; xenin: r = 0.241, p = 0.019) and eating disorder symptoms (neurotensin: r = 0.276, p = 0.007; xenin: r = 0.26, p = 0.011), whereas, men did not (p > 0.05).ConclusionNeurotensin and xenin plasma levels of female obese patients are positively correlated with perceived stress, anxiety, depressiveness, and eating disorder symptoms. These associations could be influenced by higher prevalence of mental disorders in women and by sex hormones. In men, no correlations were observed, which points toward a sex-dependent regulation.

scholarly journals More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezgi Dogan-Sander ◽  
Elisabeth Kohls ◽  
Sabrina Baldofski ◽  
Christine Rummel-Kluge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Drug Consumption ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Younger Age

Background: As the majority of studies examining mental health during the pandemic are cross-sectional, little is known about the changes in mental health during the pandemic, especially in university students. Most studies indicate a worsening of mental health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of German university students during the third wave of the pandemic in 2021 and to compare the results to a sample of a congruent cross-sectional study from 2020.Methods: Two cross-sectional and anonymous online surveys among university students were conducted (first survey: July-August 2020, N = 3,382; second survey: March-April 2021, N = 5,642). Mental health status was assessed with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), and social and emotional aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. In addition to descriptive statistics and group comparisons of the two survey samples from 2020 and 2021, respectively, risk and protective factors related to mental health were analyzed.Results: There were significant differences in severities of depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption between the two online surveys from 2020 and 2021. Findings suggest an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms as well as alcohol and drug consumption. Significantly more respondents reported suicidal ideation in the survey from 2021. Lower self-efficacy, less social support and lower resilience as well as higher perceived stress and more loneliness were reported by the participants of the survey from 2021 compared to 2020. Regarding factors predicting mental health symptoms, being female was a positive predictor for hazardous alcohol use and anorexia nervosa in comparison to men. Further, younger age, being diverse, higher perceived stress and loneliness were positive predictors for all mental health outcomes.Conclusion: This study reveals an increase in severities of depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol consumption among students. Being diverse, younger age, higher perceived stress and loneliness were mutual risk factors for higher depressive and eating disorder symptoms as well as alcohol consumption. Universities and health care policy should recognize and address mental health issues of young adults during ongoing times of crisis and invest in easy-to-access interventions.

Eating tasty foods to cope, enhance reward, socialize or conform: What other psychological characteristics describe each of these motives?

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary M Boggiano ◽  
Lowell E Wenger ◽  
Emilee E Burgess ◽  
Mindy M Tatum ◽  
Maria D Sylvester ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Anxiety And Depression

Psychological characteristics associated with eating motives of the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS) were identified in 192 undergraduates. Coping was characterized by greater BMI, emotion-triggered eating, and eating concern and also by binge-eating and perceived stress reactivity in females. Reward Enhancement was characterized by greater BMI, anxiety- and depression-eating in females and by anger/frustration-eating in males. Conformity was strongly characterized by binge-eating and by failure-based stress and all eating disorder traits in females and by anger/frustration- and anxiety-eating in males. The sex-divergent patterns of these traits across PEMS motives highlight the heterogeneity of hedonic eating. The traits may also be maintaining the motives, hence adresseing them should improve treatments for obesity, binge-eating, and foster healthier coping, reward, and psychosocial interactions.

scholarly journals Male Figural Rating Scales: A Critical Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-73
Author(s):  
Daniel Talbot ◽  
John Cass ◽  
Evelyn Smith
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Validity Evidence ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Positive Correlations

AbstractFigural rating scales are tools used to measure male body dissatisfaction. The present review aimed to examine the design and psychometric properties of male figural rating scales and make recommendations based on findings. Relevant databases were systematically searched for studies that had developed and validated male figural rating scales. Twenty studies were included in this review. Figural rating scales differed in terms of the number of images represented and type of stimuli used (hand-drawn silhouettes, hand-drawn figures, computer-rendered figures, and photograph figures). Reliability and validity evidence varied greatly in strength across all scales. Four of the 20 scales included a correlational analysis between figural rating scale scores and eating disorder symptoms. Results showed the moderate to high positive correlations between eating disorder symptoms and figural rating scale perceived and index scores, suggesting that figural rating scales are sensitive to detecting eating disorder symptoms. Ideally, male figural rating scales should show strong validity and reliability, include variations in both body fat and muscularity, utilise realistic body stimuli, and be interval scales. No existing male figural rating scale meets these criteria. However, this review identifies five figural rating scales that meet the majority of the recommended criteria.

scholarly journals Mental Health, Social and Emotional Well-Being, and Perceived Burdens of University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Kohls ◽  
Sabrina Baldofski ◽  
Raiko Moeller ◽  
Sarah-Lena Klemm ◽  
Christine Rummel-Kluge
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Sum Score

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting everyone's daily life in unknown measures since its outbreak. Nearly all Universities around the globe were affected. Further, young people and University students in particular, are known to be vulnerable for developing mental disorders. This study aims to examine the mental health social and emotional well-being and perceived burdens of University students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Germany.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and anonymous online survey among University students assessed mental health status with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived burdens, and social and emotional aspects of the pandemic (social support, perceived stress, loneliness, and self-efficacy).Results: In total, N = 3,382 German University students participated. Nearly half of the students (49%) reported that they are worried or very much worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority supports the governmental lockdown measures (85%). A Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) sum score of 10 or above, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms, was reported by 37% (n = 1,249). The PHQ-9 sum score was on average 8.66 (SD = 5.46). Suicidal thoughts were indicated by 14.5% of the participants. Levels of depressive symptoms differed significantly for the different self-rated income changes during the pandemic (increase, decrease, no change in income). Further, levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation differed significantly for students from different faculties. Multiple regression analyses revealed that not being a parent, having no indirect social contact one or two times a week, higher perceived stress, higher experienced loneliness, lower social support, and lower self-efficacy significantly predicted higher scores of depressive symptoms, also higher hazardous alcohol use, and higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. Other aspects of lifestyle such as social and cultural activities, dating, and hobbies were reported to be negatively affected during the pandemic.Conclusion: The present study implies that University students are vulnerable and due to elevated depressive symptoms at risk, being hit hard by the pandemic, but are in general coping adaptively. Low-threshold online interventions promoting help-seeking and also targeting various mental health conditions might bridge the gap the COVID-19 pandemic opened up recently.

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