Saliha CK, Remya AR

Department of Physiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha

Running title – Nutritional choice under Academic stress

Received: 05-10-2023

Revised: 15-10-2023

Accepted: 26-10-2023

Address for correspondence: Dr Saliha CK, Reader, Department of Physiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, E-mail: salihac.k111@gmail.com

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How to cite this article: Saliha CK, Remya A R. Nutritional Choices under Academic Stress: Patterns and Trends. J Oral Biomed Sci 2023; 2(3):129-131

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Adolescence is a pivotal period characterized by biological, emotional, psychological, and social changes. Transitioning from high school to college brings significant shifts in academic pursuits and lifestyles, often accompanied by heightened academic stress.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study explores the correlation between academic stress and eating behavior among 38 college students. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires focusing on academic stress, emotional eating behavior, and food consumption patterns.

Results:

Findings reveal varying stress levels among participants, with notable proportions engaging in emotional eating behaviors. This suggests a gradient relationship between stress levels and emotional eating tendencies.

Discussion:

The study sheds light on the complex interplay between stress levels and emotional eating behaviors among college students, highlighting the role of emotional eating as a coping mechanism for academic stressors.

Conclusion:

Addressing stress management techniques and promoting healthier coping mechanisms are crucial for mitigating maladaptive eating habits and promoting overall well-being among college students. Further research is needed to understand and address stress-related eating behaviors effectively

 

Keywords: Stress, Nutritional choice, Academics

 

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is a critical period of biological, emotional, and psychological development, as well as social1. During this period, a person becomes an independent individual, forms new relationships, develops social skills, and learns behaviours that will last for the rest of life. Life transitions from high school to college or university mark a distinct pace of students’ life including their academic goals, lifestyles, and careers2,3. These stark transitions demand changes and adaptations in many aspects, specifically learning, socialization, responsibilities, eating habits, time, and financial management, among others4. Although many contend that entering a new phase as a collegian is one of the most delightful life passages, some find such phases to be completely challenging and stressful for a series of adaptations, anxieties, and cultural shocks encountered5. Academic stress occurs among adolescents can lead to the development of obesity, which is a worldwide health issue, that leads to severe chronic diseases. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationship between academic stress and emotional eating behavior in adolescents.

Saqib and Rehman delineated stress into two distinct categories: psychological and physiological6. Psychological stress arises when there is a demand to act and pressure to achieve certain goals. On the other hand, physiological stress manifests in the body’s response to perceived threats or fears of outcomes. While stress may originate from social environments, it often manifests within an individual’s psyche, presenting as anxiety, worry, fear, regrets, discouragement, loss of interest, or diminished self-esteem, among other symptoms. Stress can be perceived as the body’s way of adapting to changes in the environment, akin to a form of “wear and tear” experienced by humans7. Academic stress specifically refers to the stress experienced within the academic setting by both faculty and students in educational institutions. The academic journey encompasses various aspects including mental, social, psychological, financial, and personal commitments, as well as hard work and numerous other factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This observational study adopts a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between academic stress as the independent variable and emotional eating behaviour, along with the frequency of food consumption, as the dependent variables. Samples were collected through cluster random sampling techniques from a total of 38 college-going students. The study utilized self-completed questionnaires based on standardized research protocols, with participants completing the set of questionnaires during a 50-minute session.

The study established specific criteria for inclusion, targeting college students aged 18-24 who were not consuming anxiety medications and did not have gastrointestinal-related diseases. Conversely, exclusion criteria comprised individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder, using anxiety medications, or categorized as mentally challenged students. These criteria aimed to ensure the coherence and relevance of the study’s outcomes while focusing on the specified demographic of college students. The study employed several tools, including the Educational Stress Scale for Adults, the Food Frequency Questionnaire, and the Dutch Eating Questionnaire, to gather comprehensive data on academic stress, eating behaviour, and food consumption patterns among the participants.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the research study, it was found that among the participants, 18% reported experiencing high levels of stress, while 32% reported moderate levels of stress, and the majority, accounting for 50%, reported low levels of stress. Upon further analysis of the data, it was observed that within the high-stress group, a substantial 71% reported engaging in emotional eating behaviors, indicating a notable association between high stress levels and emotional eating tendencies. Similarly, all participants in the moderate stress group, constituting 100%, reported experiencing emotional eating behaviors. In contrast, among those in the low-stress group, 26% reported engaging in emotional eating behaviors. These findings suggest a gradient relationship between stress levels and emotional eating tendencies, with higher stress levels correlating with a higher likelihood of engaging in emotional eating behaviors. The results underscore the importance of addressing stress management techniques and coping strategies, particularly among individuals experiencing elevated stress levels, to mitigate the risk of maladaptive eating behaviors and promote overall well-being. Additionally, further research may be warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms driving the relationship between stress and emotional eating, as well as the potential implications for interventions aimed at promoting healthier coping mechanisms and reducing stress-related eating behaviors.

DISCUSSION

The primary aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between academic stress and eating behavior among college students. Eating behavior is often viewed as a coping mechanism for dealing with stressful situations8, aligning with previous research supporting this connection. The findings from the study offer valuable insights into the intricate relationship between stress levels and emotional eating behaviors among college students. The observed gradient association between stress levels and the propensity for emotional eating underscores the complex interplay between psychological states and dietary habits. The notably high prevalence of emotional eating among individuals experiencing high and moderate levels of stress highlights the need for targeted interventions aimed at addressing stress management and fostering healthier coping mechanisms.

Adolescence is characterized by heightened emotional instability compared to adulthood 9. However, Calam et al. 10 found that teenagers, particularly girls, tend to exhibit picky eating behaviors. The current study’s additional findings indicate a positive association between academic stress and eating behavior, consistent with prior research11. Moreover, chronic stress is linked to increased preferences for energy-dense foods such as sugar and fat, potentially contributing to the development of obesity. 12,13,14

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the study highlights a clear association between stress levels and emotional eating behaviors among college students. The data reveal that higher stress levels correspond to an increased likelihood of engaging in emotional eating, with notable proportions of participants reporting such behaviors across all stress categories. These findings underscore the importance of addressing stress management and promoting healthy coping mechanisms among college students to mitigate the risk of maladaptive eating habits.

Conflict of interest: None

Financial support and sponsorship: Nil

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