Status of comorbidity of overweight, obesity, and depressive symptoms among middle school students in Hubei Province and its association with school bullying
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2483.2026.04.011
- VernacularTitle:湖北省中学生超重肥胖与抑郁症状共患现状与校园欺凌关联研究
- Author:
Donghao LI
1
;
Ling LIU
2
;
Fei PENG
2
;
Shuang LIU
2
;
Kui MA
2
;
Dan LUO
3
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan , Hubei 430071, China
2. Institute of Health Surveillance Analysis and Protection, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan , Hubei 430079, China
3. School of Nursing, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Middle school students;
School bullying;
Overweight/obesity;
Depressive symptoms;
Comorbidity
- From:
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
2026;37(4):51-55
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the association between school bullying and comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms in middle school students, and to provide a basis for formulating intervention strategies for the prevention and control of common diseases and comorbidities among students. Methods In September 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select junior high school, high school, and vocational high school students in 103 districts and counties across 17 cities (prefectures) in Hubei Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted on these students regarding school bullying and depressive symptoms, and physical measurements of height and weight were taken. The association between school bullying and comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms was analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results A total of 99 921 middle school students aged 11-19 years old were included in the study. The detection rate of overweight/obesity was 29.39%, the detection rate of depressive symptoms was 31.15%, and the detection rate of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms was 9.15%. Among all students, 24.12% reported experiencing school bullying. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that experiencing school bullying was positively associated with the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms among middle school students (OR = 2.692, 95% CI: 2.571-2.817, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis results showed that both male and female students who experienced school bullying were more likely to have comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms (OR values were 2.756 for males and 2.594 for females; P values were both < 0.001). Students in all educational stages who experienced school bullying had an increased risk of comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms (OR values were 2.739 for junior high, 2.676 for senior high, and 2.378 for vocational high; P values were all < 0.001). Conclusion The comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms among middle school students is widespread, and there is a significant association between school bullying and comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depressive symptoms. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of school bullying to promote the healthy physical and mental development of adolescents.
