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Variables associated with the relationship between obesity and mental health among university students in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review
In this publication, Joma, Abuzerr & Alsoudi (2024) discuss how numerous factors, including dietary habits, lifestyle choices, cultural beliefs, academic stress, financial status, and access to mental health therapies, play a role in the relationship between obesity and mental health in a population of university students residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Gaining a better understanding of how these factors interact is essential for developing effective strategies to support students’ physical and mental well-being within the region. This systematic review aims to examine the variables that influence the association between obesity and mental health among GCC university students. The authors conducted a thorough search of electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, published up to February 28, 2024) to look at pertinent research. The narrative synthesis technique was used to assemble the included research findings. Predetermined topics pertaining to the variables influencing the association between obesity and mental health in GCC university students were used to classify the data. With an average rate of 29.4%, obesity and overweight are particularly common among college students in GCC nations. Mental health conditions, including anxiety, sadness, and body image dissatisfaction, are directly associated with obesity. Both a cause and an effect of obesity-related mental health problems are irregular sleep habits. Furthermore, how students view their bodies and mental health is greatly influenced by sociocultural factors. These results emphasize how critical it is to use all-encompassing strategies to address the intricate connection between obesity and mental health among GCC university students. Targeted therapies and further research in this field are desperately needed. [NPID: Obesity, mental health, university students, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, systematic review]
Year: 2024
