Interplay of the indicators of physical development and psychological status in the young adult medical students

Abstract

Currently, there is increasing number of overweight people all over the world. The increase in the incidence of depression among the population, especially among adolescents and young adults, has been reported. The study was aimed to determine the relationship between excess body weight and severity of depression in the young adult students taught at the initial courses in the medical university. The study involved 230 junior medical students (163 females and 67 males) having no chronic disorders. Body mass index (BMI) was determined in the subjects. The depression severity was defined using the Beck Depression Inventory. The analysis showed that the average BMI was 3.0 ± 3.9 AU in males and 22.0 ± 4.3 AU in females. The share of underweight male subjects was 7.5%, while the share of underweight females was 10.5%; 28.3% of males and 13.5% of female subjects had excess body weight and obesity of varying severity. No signs of depression were found in 66.0% of males and 61.0% of females. We revealed no significant correlation between BMI and depression.