Chia-Hsin Emily Cheng, PhD, MA

Psychological Distress And Social Context Risk And Protective
Factors In Obesity

This study used gender-stratified, multivariate analyses to examine psychological distress and socialcontextualfactors as key determinants of obesity among a multiethnic sample of college students (N = 2392). Results showed that distress was associated with increased odds of obesity among female college students, and there were gendered patterns in risk factors with social context having  potentially protective effects among women. Our findings highlight the importance of enhancing psychological well-being as well as creating gender- and context-specific interventions to prevent weight gain and obesity among the college population.

1. Cheng, C. H. E.,Thomas Tobin, C. S., & Weiss, J. W. (2020). Psychological distress and obesity: Social context and gender patterns among a multiethnic sample of U.S. colleges students.Journal of American College Health. DOI 10.1080/07448481.2020.1817032

Lifestyle Health Behaviors And Psychological Distress In Risk
Of Bbesity

The purpose of this study was to examine multiple domains of health behaviors (diet, physical activity, sleep) asrisk and protective factors in the association between psychological distress and obesity among college students. Lifestyle behaviors formed during emerging adulthood and the college years have lasting health implications, including risk for overweight and obesity which increases risk of later-life chronic health conditions. Understanding the complex links among psychosocial and behavioral factors may be critical to curbing the rising obesity rate.

1. Cheng, C. H. E. (2018). Beyond the Freshman 15: Exploring the Contextual, Psychosocial and Behavioral Risk/Protective Factors Associated with Obesity among US College Students. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2693x909

Social Relationships, Eating Habits, And Comorbid Distress-Obesity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of social relationships in shaping eating habits, taking into consideration the multidimensional aspect of eating (attitudinal, behavioral, and cognitive) and comorbid distress-obesity status. Different sources of social relationships can have both beneficial and harmful effects on health behaviors and health outcomes. Given the formative period of young adulthood and changing lifestyle habits, examining social relationships within the unique social context of college may provide new, additional insights into college students’ eating habits and rising obesity rate. Moreover, examining psychological distress and obesity as a joint health outcome circumvents the causal priority between the two and may provide a better understanding of their shared risk factors.

1. Cheng, C. H. E.(2018). Beyond the Freshman 15: Exploring the Contextual, Psychosocial and Behavioral Risk/Protective Factors Associated with Obesity among US College Students. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2693x909

Stress And Physical Activity Patterns Among Racial/Ethnic
Minority College Students

The purpose of this study is to describe the patterns and examine the association between perceived stress and physical activity among an ethnically diverse sample of college students. Engagement in physical activity significantly declines during the transition from high school to college, in part due to it being a major life transition and stressful time for many young adults. Moreover, ethnic minorities have disproportionately lower rates of physical activity and are particularly at risk for obesity and adverse health outcomes. With an increasing rate in obesity among young adults and less than half of college students meeting the recommended guidelines on required amount of physical activity, it is important to identify the psychosocial risk factors and to promote an active lifestyle among the college population.