Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 106, Issue 7 , Pages 565-572, 2007

Lifestyle Risk Factors Associated with Fatigue in Graduate Students

  • Yi-Chin Lee

      Affiliations

    • Student Health Center, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Kuo-Liong Chien

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Kuo-Liong Chien, Institute of Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Room 517, 17 Hsu Chow Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hsiu-Hsi Chen

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 24 October 2006; received in revised form 5 January 2007; accepted 10 April 2007.

Background/Purpose

Fatigue is not only common in clinical patients but is also prevalent in the healthy population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate of fatigue and identify significant risk factors among graduate students.

Methods

Health check-ups were carried out on graduate students who were newly admitted to the National Taiwan University in this cross-sectional study. A total of 1806 attendees (response rate, 84%) agreed to participate in the fatigue survey, which used the Checklist Individual Strength questionnaire (CIS-20). The modified Baecke's questionnaire was used to quantify the intensity of physical activity.

Results

The prevalence rates of fatigue were 45.8% for males and 48.9% for females. Regular meal (odds ratio [OR], 0.69) and exercise habits (OR, 0.68), insomnia (OR, 2.23), greater amount of sleeping time (OR, 0.7), identity (doctorate vs. master students; OR, 0.61), and chronic disease history (OR, 1.61) were statistically significant predictors for fatigue. Intensity of physical activity was a protective factor (ORs, 0.72, 0.50 and 0.36 in the 2nd, 3rd and top quartiles vs. 1st quartile;p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A high prevalence rate of fatigue among the graduate students was demonstrated. The risk factors among young adults are not only related to current chronic disease and insomnia but are also attributed to the lack of physical activity.

Key Words:  fatigue , graduate student , lifestyle , physical activity , young adult

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PII: S0929-6646(07)60007-2

doi:10.1016/S0929-6646(07)60007-2

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume 106, Issue 7 , Pages 565-572, 2007

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