Objective: To investigate the independent and combined effects of fat mass percentage (FMP) and polysocial risk score (PsRS) on depressive symptoms (DS) among university students, and to analyze the mediating role of FMP in this relationship, thereby providing evidence-based strategies for the prevention and management of depression in this population. Design and method: This cross-sectional study recruited 902 university students from Ningxia, China, in October 2023 using a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster sampling. Data on DS (assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and social risk factors (including individual characteristics, behavioral lifestyle, social support networks, and sociostructural factors) were collected through structured questionnaires. FMP was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: FMP and the domain-specific PsRS were significantly associated with depressive symptoms risk, with their combined effects surpassing independent contributions (P 0.001). Furthermore, FMP exhibited significant partial mediating effects specifically between behavioral lifestyle PsRS (BL-PsRS), social support network PsRS (SSN-PsRS), sociostructural factors PsRS (SSF-PsRS), and DS. Conclusions: Independent and combined effects of FMP and PsRS were positively correlated with DS in university students. FMP partially mediated the relationship between certain PsRS domains (BL, SSN, SSF) and DS. Targeted public health interventions addressing these factors may help mitigate the burden of DS in this population.
Xu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.