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Wu R, Guang Z, Wang Y, Xue B, Zhang A, Dawa Y, Guo C, Tong X, Wang S, Lu C. Eating disorders symptoms and depressive symptoms in Chinese Tibetan University students: a network analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:957. [PMID: 38129774 PMCID: PMC10734136 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05452-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is being increasingly acknowledged as a global public health concern, and following this trend, attention towards eating disorders (EDs) has surged within China's national consciousness. EDs symptoms frequently coexist with various mental health conditions, including depression. However, research focusing on EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms among Tibetan students in China remains scant. This study employs network analysis to estimate the relational network between EDs and depressive symptoms. METHODS Tibetan (n = 2,582) and Han (n = 1,743) students from two universities in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, completed the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We estimated the network structure of EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms, identified central and bridge symptoms, and examined whether network characteristics differed by gender and ethnic. RESULTS The core symptoms identified within this study were Calorie_awareness, Desire_to_thin and Fatigue. Conversely, bridge symptoms included Appetite, Suicide, Anhedonia, Guilty, Body_fat_awareness, and Food_preoccupation. The study also revealed no significant gender differences within the network model. However, disparities among ethnic groups were observed within the network structure. CONCLUSIONS Our study examined the correlation between EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms in Tibetan college students. Focusing on the individual's quest for the perfect body shape and some Tibetan students' appetite problems - potentially stemming from transitioning to a new university environment, adapting to the school canteen's diet, or being away from their hometown - could aid in the prevention and management of EDs and depression symptoms. It could reduce the incidence of complications by helping students maintain good physical and mental health. Concurrently, our research provides insights into the relatively higher levels of depression triggered by the unique plateau environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruipeng Wu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixuan Guang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingting Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Xue
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ailing Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yundan Dawa
- Department of Tibetan Medicine, University of Tibetan Medicine(UTC), 850000, Lhasa, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenghui Guo
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Tong
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaokang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Genetic Mechanisms and Intervention Research On High Altitude Disease of Tibet Autonomous Region, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, 712082, Xianyang, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ciyong Lu
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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