This study examines the relationship between levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and bone mineral density (BMD) among Division III student-athletes. Previous research has indicated that 35% of Division III athletes struggle with mental health concerns (Aditya et al., 2024), and psychological stress may negatively impact BMD (Hahn, 2017). However, the relationship between bone health and mental health has not been explored in collegiate student-athletes. Participants (mean age = 20.11 ± 1.32 years; height = 175.70 ± 9.99 cm; weight = 72.43 ± 13.57 kg) in this study completed a demographic questionnaire, two self-reported mental health surveys; Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to assess BMD. Independent samples t-tests revealed significant differences in BMD values for lumbar spine, dual femoral neck, and total body between symptomatic and asymptomatic measured by GAD-7 (p < 0.05). BMD values were not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals for depression or stress levels measured by DASS-21 (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that increased levels of anxiety may be negatively associated with bone health in this population, offering new insights into the potential impact of mental health on bone density.
