Gender Differences In Health Behaviors And Depression Of Athlete University Students

Abstract

Previous studies in the United States suggested that athlete students are likely to engage in health-risk behaviors with negative mental health consequences, and female students are found to experience increased levels of depression than their male peers. Limited evidence from Asia warrants the need for additional research, especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to cessation of competitive sport and increased pressure in sport career. PURPOSE: To compare health behaviors and depression among female and male athlete students in a sport university in China, and explore the association of depression with gender and health behaviors. METHODS: Data were collected from a voluntary sample in Beijing Sport University in March 2021, using an online questionnaire including Health Habits Scale (higher scores, the better health habits), total sedentary time, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Chi-squared tests, t-tests and stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: 95 female and 277 male students were included in analysis (n = 372). Compare with males, the scores of females in smoking, drinking and sedentary hours were significantly higher, and the scores in water intake, eating habits and participating in vigorous physical activity (VPA) were significantly lower, see Figure 1. Higher proportion of females reported depression than males, 55.8% vs 40.8%, p < 0.05. Multivariate regression showed that high frequency of adequate sleep (OR = 0.39, p < 0.001) and VPA (OR = 0.69, p < 0.05) and low frequency of overeating (OR = 0.67, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Female athletes are more likely to experience depression than males, and they performed worse in physical activity and eating habits. The effect of gender on depression can be mediated by health behaviors. Supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Beijing Sport University (grant number 2021QN014).