Research Areas
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Mental Health and Depression
- Addiction Research
- Obesity
- Predictor of Liver Cancer
- Infectious Disease
- All of Us Research
Scientific Achievements
- Determined the prevalence of obesity/overweight and depression among Jackson State University (JSU) students.
- Determined the association between breakfast skipping with obesity and depression among JSU students.
- Elucidated the mediator role of depression and breakfast skipping and obesity prevalence controlling for unhealthy food consumption, watching TV, smoking habits, sleep duration, and alcohol consumption.
Funding
RCMI Funding:
- U54MD015929, Breakfast Skipping, Obesity, and Mental Health among African American Students at a Historically Black College and University”
Other funding obtained with RCMI support:
- AIM-AHEAD Training Program Fellowships
- Data Science Training Program for Addiction Research
Scientific Advance
Published in Circulation, Volume 151, Number Supple 1, 2025
https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.151.suppl_1.P3147
Purpose. This study explored depression status among African American students at Jackson State University (JSU).
Methods. From 2023 to 2024, we surveyed 398 JSU students. Most participants were women (about 74%).
Results. Nearly half of the students (46.5%) reported feeling depressed at some point during the past year. Depression was more common among women than men (54% compared to 38%), and this difference was statistically significant.
Importance and Impact. Depression is a major concern among JSU students, especially women. High rates of depression can affect academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding the factors that contribute to these mental health challenges is critical for developing effective support systems.
