Japanese university students’ perceived overweight and actual weight : relationship with a wish to die
Previous studies demonstrated that perceived overweight has a larger role than actual body weight does in suicidal ideation and attempts. Despite high suicidal rate found among university students, studies have been limited in examining the role of perceived overweight in relation to suicidality...
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Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2017
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Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20762/1/256-992-2-PB.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/20762/ https://spaj.ukm.my/ppppm/jpm/issue/view/27 |
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Summary: | Previous studies demonstrated that perceived overweight has a larger role than actual body weight
does in suicidal ideation and attempts. Despite high suicidal rate found among university students,
studies have been limited in examining the role of perceived overweight in relation to suicidality in
this population. This study aims to examine the relationship between a wish to die with perceived
overweight and actual weight, measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) in university students. The
sample comprised of 2,000 incoming freshmen in a Japanese university. Multivariate logistic
regression was used to determine the association between a wish to die and perceived overweight and
actual weight. Results indicated a wish to die prevalence of 5.8% (n=115) and perceived overweight
prevalence of 15.8% (n=315) among the freshmen. Perceived overweight significantly increased the
odds of a wish to die by two-fold (Odds Ratio (OR) =2.01, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.20-
3.37), in contrast to actual weight which was not significantly associated with a wish to die. Findings
implied the necessity to promote healthy attitudes towards body weight and self-acceptance
regardless of weight status among university students that could reduce the potential risk of a wish to
die from progressing along the continuum of suicidality in later life. |
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