Objective To understand the current situation of functional constipation among college students in a medical school in Xinjiang and discuss the related risk factors

so as to provide a reference basis for the prevention of the disease. Methods Using a stratified whole-group random sampling method

488 college students in a medical school in Xinjiang were taken as the study subjects and questionnaires were administered. The survey data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Results The detection rate of functional constipation in the study subjects was 15.6%. The differences in the detection rate of functional constipation were statistically significant（P<0.05） between the study subjects with different places of origin

grades

daily exercise duration

spicy food intake

and daily water intake; the detection rate of functional constipation was higher among the study subjects with rural origin than urban origin; the detection rate of functional constipation was the highest among the study subjects in the sophomore year; the detection rate of functional constipation was higher among the study subjects with daily exercise duration less than 1 h than those with 1 h or above; the detection rate of functional constipation was highest in the study subjects who consumed spicy foods daily; the detection rate of functional constipation was higher in the study subjects who drank less water daily. Logistic regression analysis showed that gender（OR=8.231）

place of origin（OR=5.119）

grade（OR=7.821）

daily exercise duration（OR=4.673）

sleep（OR=10.134）

spicy food intake（OR =6.527）

and daily water intake（OR =3.867） were all factors influencing functional constipation in the study subjects（P<0.05）. Conclusion Behaviors like irregular routine

lack of exercise

staying up late

preferring spicy food over vegetables and fruits

and drinking little water are observed among some college students in a medical school. It is suggested that college students should have a regular routine

balanced diet and more exercise to reduce the possibility of constipation.