What does this research mean for the field?

A 12-week weight loss program significantly reduces BMI in college students and improves mental health scores on the SCL-90 scale. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the impact of a weight loss program on the physical and mental health of college students.

January 18, 2026International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

A180: Effects of Weight Loss Program on Physiological and Mental Health in College Students

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Key result

A 12-week weight loss program lowers male BMI by ~4% and improves student mental health.

Why the study?

Increasing prevalence of obesity among college students poses risks to physical and mental health, warranting investigation into the effects of structured weight loss programs.

Does a 12-week weight loss and body shaping program improve physiological and mental health in college students?

Key Points

This study aims to assess the impact of a weight loss program on the physical and mental health of college students.
Conducted a 12-week weight loss and body shaping program.
Participants included 89 college students from a Chinese university.
The program incorporated aerobic exercise, strength training, and dietary guidance.
Measures included body weight, BMI, body fat rate, SMM, and BMR.
Mental health was evaluated using the SCL-90 scale.
Significant reductions in BMI and body fat rate were observed post-intervention.
For males, BMI decreased significantly from 26.87 to 25.75.
For females, BMI decreased from 25.36 to 24.26.
Skeletal muscle mass significantly increased in females, while BMR improved significantly.
Mental health assessments showed decreased scores in interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety.

Structured PICO

Does a 12-week weight loss and body shaping program improve physiological and mental health in college students?

Population

89 college students (49 females, 40 males) from a Chinese university

Intervention

12-week weight loss and body shaping intervention program including aerobic exercise, strength training, dietary guidance, and body index monitoring (three 60-minute sessions per week)

Outcome

Changes in body weight, BMI, body fat rate, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and mental health status (SCL-90 scale) before and after the interventionsurrogate

A 12-week comprehensive weight loss program significantly improved body composition and mental health in college students, with more pronounced physiological benefits in females.

Discussion

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Implication

May support student wellness programs for BMI and mental health gains; leaves open causality and generalizability pending RCTs.

Cite This Study

Li et al. (2026) studied this question. A 12-week weight loss program significantly reduced BMI in males from 26.87 to 25.75 and improved mental health scores on the SCL-90 scale among college students.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696c77d4eb60fb80d13960d1 https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.1.180.boisestate

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A180: Effects of Weight Loss Program on Physiological and Mental Health in College Students

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

A180: Effects of Weight Loss Program on Physiological and Mental Health in College Students

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider