The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
This study highlights the importance of understanding how gender and weight affect key aspects of well-being, such as body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among college students. By examining these relationships, the study aims to provide information that serves as a basis for designing specific interventions to promote mental health and general well-being in this population. The objective is to provide insights into the relationships between these variables to guide targeted interventions for student well-being.
Mental and physical health are interconnected components that directly influence the quality of life, particularly in university students who face various social and academic pressures. Factors such as gender, weight, and body image are crucial variables that affect both psychological and physical well-being [
Body image, defined as an individual’s perception of their own body, is strongly linked to self-esteem and life satisfaction [
Body weight also plays a fundamental role in mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established that being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety [
Stress management is another crucial factor in university life. Research indicates that gender differences affect how men and women cope with stress. Women tend to report higher levels of stress but often use more proactive coping strategies [
This study aims to explore how gender and weight affect body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among university students, providing valuable information for designing targeted interventions for this population.
This study aims to answer the following key questions:
1) How does body image perception vary according to gender and weight?
2) Are there differences in stress management capacity between men, women, and different weight categories?
3) How do these factors relate to life satisfaction and health habits?
The study included a random sample of 100 students from a university in Chile, aged 18 to 25 years (M = 21.5, SD = 2.1). Sixty percent of the participants were women (n = 60), and 40% were men (n = 40). The observed proportion reflects the usual gender distribution in our institution, where women predominate in certain disciplines. Furthermore, their greater participation could be explained by a greater interest in topics related to mental health and body image, which is in line with what was reported in previous research.
Participants were categorized by weight according to the body mass index (BMI) defined by the WHO: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5 - 24.9), overweight (BMI 25 - 29.9), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) [
Several validated instruments were used to measure the key variables of the study:
Body Image: Assessed using a 5-point Likert scale adapted from previous studies on body perception. Higher scores indicated a more positive body image [
Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered during the first semester of the academic year. Participants voluntarily and anonymously completed the questionnaire after signing an electronic informed consent form. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valdivia Health Service, adhering to the ethical guidelines set out in the Helsinki Declaration.
Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25.0). Descriptive analyses and Pearson correlation tests were conducted to evaluate the relationships between body image, stress management, life satisfaction, and health habits. One-way ANOVA tests were performed to identify significant differences between gender and weight groups. Additionally, post-hoc tests were conducted to explore specific differences between weight categories.
Among the 100 participants, 5% were classified as underweight, 55% as normal weight, 30% as overweight, and 10% as obese. Women reported slightly higher body image scores than men (3.06 vs. 2.89). However, men reported slightly higher life satisfaction scores than women (6.77 vs. 6.61).
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| Body image (Mean, SD) | 3.10 (0.40) | 3.00 (0.35) | 2.85 (0.30) | 2.70 (0.25) |
| Stress management (Mean, SD) | 2.50 (0.20) | 2.34 (0.18) | 2.20 (0.15) | 2.10 (0.12) |
| Life satisfaction (Mean, SD) | 6.80 (0.60) | 6.75 (0.50) | 6.50 (0.45) | 6.30 (0.40) |
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| Body image (Mean, SD) | 3.15 (0.38) | 3.08 (0.32) | 2.80 (0.28) | 2.65 (0.22) |
| Stress management (Mean, SD) | 2.55 (0.22) | 2.30 (0.20) | 2.18 (0.17) | 2.05 (0.14) |
| Life satisfaction (Mean, SD) | 6.70 (0.55) | 6.60 (0.45) | 6.40 (0.42) | 6.20 (0.35) |
ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in stress management capacity according to body weight (F(3,96) = 4.32, p < 0.05). Underweight participants reported the highest stress management capacity (M = 2.50), while those with obesity had the lowest (M = 2.09). Although men showed slightly better stress management capacity than women, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
A moderate positive correlation was found between body image and life satisfaction (r = 0.29, p < 0.05), indicating that participants with a more positive body perception tend to report higher levels of life satisfaction.
No significant correlations were found between the frequency of health check-ups and the ability to manage stress (r = −0.009, p > 0.05), suggesting that preventive health habits are not directly related to perceived stress in this sample.
Underweight participants reported the highest scores for body image and stress
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| Body image | 0.08 | 0.04 | Weight (Obesity < Normal weight) |
| Stress management | 0.09 | 0.03 | Weight (Obesity < Underweight) |
| Life satisfaction | 0.12 | 0.05 | Weight (Obesity < Underweight) |
management, while obese participants reported the lowest in both variables. No significant differences were found between men and women within weight categories (
p-value (Gender): shows the statistical significance of gender differences for each variable;p-value (Weight): shows the statistical significance of weight category differences;Significant Differences: indicates where significant differences were found, with specific comparisons highlighted.
The results provide valuable insights into the interaction between gender, weight, and body image in relation to stress management and life satisfaction. Obese participants reported the lowest body image scores and stress management capacity, which is consistent with previous studies linking excess weight to reduced psychological well-being [
The lower stress management ability observed among participants with higher BMI may be attributed to the psychological burden of weight stigma and social expectations. Previous research suggests that obese people often experience higher levels of stress due to negative body perceptions and social discrimination, which can hinder their ability to manage stress effectively [
Although men reported better stress management capacity, this difference was not statistically significant, suggesting that contextual factors, such as social expectations, may influence gender differences in stress coping [
Participants with a positive body image are more likely to experience greater life satisfaction because body image is closely related to self-esteem and social acceptance. A healthy perception of one’s body fosters confidence, reduces psychological distress, and promotes well-being, all of which contribute to greater life satisfaction. These findings are consistent with previous research by Wodarz and Rogowska [
Universities should implement comprehensive programs addressing both mental and physical health. This could include nutrition workshops, psychological counseling, and physical activities aimed at improving body image and reducing stress. It is also essential to design gender-specific strategies that address the unique needs of men and women.
This study reveals that gender and weight influence body image, stress management, and life satisfaction among university students. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve body image and promote healthy habits, particularly among overweight or obese students. Future studies should explore these relationships in other educational and cultural contexts.