V3I3P29

Anxiety and Body Mass Index: Investigating Psychological and Physical Health Among Female Students of Different Educational Boards

Arindam Biswas¹, Subhrajyoti Mandal^2*

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between anxiety levels and Body Mass Index (BMI) among female students from three major educational boards in India—WBCHSE, CBSE, and ICSE. A total of 300 female students, aged 16 to 18 years, were selected from schools in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts of West Bengal. The study aims to assess differences in anxiety (state and trait) across the three boards, explore the relationship between anxiety and BMI, and evaluate the impact of these factors on students’ overall well-being. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and BMI measurements. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Tukey’s LSD test, were performed to identify significant differences. The findings provide insights into how academic pressures and BMI influence the mental and physical health of female students, with implications for educational policies and mental health interventions.

Keywords:

Anxiety, Body Mass Index (BMI), Educational Boards, State-Trait Anxiety, Female Students