Association of psychological and physical stress response with weight gain in university employees in Japan: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

To clarify the association of job stressor score (A score), psychological and physical stress response score (B score), and social support (C score), with the incidence of ≥10% weight gain. This study included 10,036 university employees who completed the brief job stress questionnaire (BJSQ) and annual health checkups between 2016 and 2021. The incidence of ≥10% weight gain from baseline weight was measured. Participants were classified into four categories based on their BJSQ dimension scores. B score was significantly associated with the incidence of weight gain, whereas A and C scores were not. Participants of Q75-89, and Q90-100 categories of B score were at significantly high risk of the incidence of ≥10% weight gain. Psychological and physical stress response had an increasing risk of weight gain.