Prevalencia de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión y su relación con el estigma del peso e imagen corporal en estudiantes de Ciudad Universitaria de la UNAH

Abstract

This research, with a quantitative approach and a non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design, aimed to analyze the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depression with weight stigma and body image among university students at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). The results show that women report significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to men, suggesting greater emotional vulnerability among the female population. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between age and levels of anxiety and depression, indicating that younger students exhibit more symptoms. Regarding weight stigma, women also reported higher levels of weight concern and body dissatisfaction. Negative correlations were identified between age and both variables, suggesting that younger students are more susceptible to distress related to body image. Moreover, positive relationships were found between anxiety and depression, and between these and weight concern and body dissatisfaction, highlighting a strong association between depression and dissatisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensively addressing mental health and body perception within the university context, particularly among women and younger students, who exhibit greater impact across all evaluated dimensions.