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OBJECTIVE: To assess depression and anxiety among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with race. PARTICIPANTS: Using a cross-sectional survey, depression and anxiety among college students at a Predominantly White (PWU) and a Historically Black University (HBU) during 2021 were evaluated. METHODS: The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), general anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and self-reported sociodemographic characteristics were collected. Chi-square and logistic regression tests examined differences in depression and anxiety based on race. RESULTS: Depression and anxiety among 3,102 students (87% female) were analyzed. Minority racial groups were associated with anxiety (p < 0.01) but not depression in the PWU. Moderately severe and severe depression was higher among the minority race at both the universities (1.76% compared to 0.53% at PWU, and 11.1% compared to 2.4% at HBU). CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety among college students is influenced by racial status. First-generation students were more likely to report depression in both HBU and PWU.
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Introduction: Using a cross-sectional population-based survey, electronic vapor product (EVP) use was evaluated in relation to physical activity levels among high school students in Georgia. Methods: We used self-reported EVP and cigarette use from the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0 data from 2018 (N =362 933) and used multi-level multinomial logistic regression models to estimate relative risks of the type of product use relative to no-use by levels of physical activity. Results: Nearly 7% of the students were EVP-only users. The relative risks of being an EVP-only user were 11% and 23% higher for those who were physically active 2-3 days/week and 4-5 days/week, respectively, compared to those who were physically active <=1 day/week. Conclusions: Being physically active was positively associated with EVP use among adolescents. Health promotion education and health policies should be developed as a means of reducing EVP use among adolescents.
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INTRODUCTION: In the United States, physical activity (PA) among adolescents is declining; 75% of high school students do not meet daily PA guidelines. Low rates of PA are more prevalent among high school girls. Schools provide an optimal environment to target and promote PA. However, school climate has not yet been studied for its importance in promoting PA among high school students, particularly girls. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2.0 data on perceptions of different school climate measures and self-reported weekly PA levels to study gender differences in the association of PA with school climate. RESULTS: Data from a total of 362,926 students (48% males and 52% females) were analyzed. For both genders, the odds of being physically active increased with a more positive report of supportive school environments, school connectedness, peer social support, school physical environments, cultural acceptance, school safety, and adult social support. Peer victimization was associated with increased odds of PA among females but lower odds for males. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that improving school climate can increase PA among adolescents. As new or existing school-based interventions and policies are considered by states and local governments, improving the school climate should be part of the overall strategy. Future research is needed on peer victimization among physically active females. IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS: This study evaluated gender differences in the association between measures of school climate and PA among high school students. School climate or policies fostering positive environments including feelings of safety, connectedness, and peer support may increase adolescent PA; addressing peer victimization and fights may reduce gender disparities in PA.