Exploring Predictive Indicators of Adjustment for International Students Using a Longitudinal Questionnaire Survey

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14257
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 09050:Tertiary education-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Okazaki Ryoko 福井大学, 保健管理センター, 講師 (90647778)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 留学生 / メンタルヘルス / 学生支援 / 大学生 / BMI / COVID-19

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and weight of college students due to difficulties in recruiting international students. In a repeated cross-sectional study based on health examination data from 2012-2021 at four universities in Japan, we found a decrease in average BMI, an increase in the proportion of underweight students, and a decrease in the proportion of overweight students, which were more pronounced among male students than female students, after the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. The results also revealed that the average BMI decreased after the study. Factors contributing to the weight loss included depression and anxiety, cosmetic dieting, compulsive health behaviors, disrupted lifestyles due to restricted outings, and economic difficulties. These results suggest that the pandemic had a serious impact on the health and lifestyle habits of college students.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、COVID-19パンデミックが大学生の体重に与える影響を明らかにし、適応支援策の検討に役立つデータを提供した。特に外国人留学生は、文化や言語の壁に加えて、パンデミックのストレスにも直面しやすいことが予測される。研究結果を基に、留学生を含む大学生を効果的にサポートするために、メンタルヘルスケアの充実、健康診断データを活用した低体重学生への早期介入と予防策、経済的困窮学生への支援策の強化により、学生の多様なニーズに対応した包括的な支援体制が構築され、健全な学習・生活環境の提供が可能となる。