Korean J Pain.  2017 Apr;30(2):126-133. 10.3344/kjp.2017.30.2.126.

The relationship between the development of musculoskeletal disorders, body mass index, and academic stress in Bahraini University students

• Tantawy SA
• Abdul Rahman A
• Abdul Ameer M

• KMID: 2376048
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2017.30.2.126

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There are many mechanisms in which stress can lead to weight gain thus high a BMI. The endocrine and inflammatory pathway can directly increase abdominal adiposity. Another way in which stress leads to weight gain is through changes in health behaviors. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthy students of Ahlia University, and to determine the relationship between the development of MSDs and academic stressors and body mass index.
METHODS
Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 94 students aged 18-26 years who were enrolled at various Ahlia University colleges and met other inclusion criteria. The students responded to the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and the modified College Student Stress Inventory regarding musculoskeletal symptoms and academic stressors. Height and weight measurements were also obtained to determine body mass index.
RESULTS
A total of 77.66% reported MSDs in one or more body part, with the prevalence being higher among women than among men. The 7-day prevalence of MSDs severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living was 60.64%, and 44.68% by female and male students, respectively. There was a significant relationship between academic stress and MSDs in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips, while the relationship between MSDs, and body mass index, academic stress, and grade point average was not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of MSDs among Ahlia University students was found to be high. Apart from the positive correlation between academic stress and MSDs in certain body parts, other correlations were not significant.

Keyword

Achievement; Body mass index; Daily living activity; Musculoskeletal disease; Pain measurement; Psychological stress; Survey and questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Adiposity
Body Mass Index*
Female
Health Behavior
Hip
Human Body
Humans
Male
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Neck
Pain Measurement
Prevalence
Shoulder
Stress, Psychological
Weight Gain

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The gender distribution of MSDS and academic stress.

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