Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Objectives: Psychological disorders, especially obesity and depression, are the common health problems which are growing all over the world especially in the developing countries. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between BMI (Body Mass Idex) and psychological disorders by using SCL-90-R (Symptom Checklist-90) questionnaire according to the demographic characteristics among  nursing, midwifery and paramedical students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2015.

Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 404 students were selected using stratified sampling and random selection. Demographic questionnaire was used to compelete the studends’ personal information and then psychological disorders were determined using SCL-90-R self- report questionnaire Height and weight were measured by using standard equipments and then, students’ BMI values were calculated. Data were analyzed by using independent t-test, Chi-square and ANOVA and the value of p<0.05 was considered significant.  

Results: The study showed that 70%  of the participants (282people ) were girls and 78.5% (317) of them were single. Most of the students were non- native and lived in dormitory or rental house, and 42.2% (169 students) were Sophomore. It was observed a significant relationship between BMI and somatisation in the girls (p= 0.020), and also between BMI and hostility in the single students (p= 0.046). This study found a significant association between BMI and obsession(p= 0.038( and a weaker significant relationship with depression in the native students (p= 0.054).  

Conclusion: This study found a significant positive association between BMI and somatization in the girls, hostility in the single students, as well as, between obsession and depression in the native students.

Key words: Body Mass Index, Psychological Disorders, SCL-90-R questionnaire, Students

Funding: This study did not have any funds.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

How to cite this article: Salem Z, Shahabinejad M, Sadeghi T, Aghamohammad Hasani P, Sheikh Fathollahi M. Correlation between BMI (Body Mass Index) and Psychiatric Problems According to the Demographic Characteristics Among Nursing/Midwifery Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2015. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2016; 15(3): 223-34. [Farsi]