Unhealthy Food and Psychological Stress: The Association between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Perceived Stress in Working-Class Young Adults

Background: Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made from food extracts or constituents with little or no intact food and often containing additives that confer hyper-palatability. The consumption of these products increases the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. Stressed people may engage in unhealthy eating as a way to cope. This study aimed to verify whether ultra-processed food consumption was associated with perceived stress levels in industrial and retail workers from Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between July 2017 and August 2018. During the study period, 1270 participants completed a survey administered by an interviewer. Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. Information regarding weekly ultra-processed food consumption was collected. Ultra-processed foods were classified into four groups: sugary drinks; sugary foods; fast foods; and canned foods, frozen foods, or processed meat. The Student’s t-test or one-way analysis of variance was used to assess the differences in stress levels and ultra-processed food consumption. Ordinal regression was used to determine the association between the degrees of stress and ultra-processed food consumption levels. Results: Factors such as a young age, being unmarried, smoking, high-risk alcohol consumption, negative health perception, and high perceived stress level indicated higher rates of ultra-processed food consumption. Ordinal regression analysis showed that high stress levels were associated with increased odds of higher ultra-processed food consumption (odds ratio: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.54–2.45). Conclusions: These findings could help identify appropriate target areas for interventions aimed at mental health promotion and healthier food consumption.

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Perceived Stress and Increased Food Consumption during the ‘Third Wave’ of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072380 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2380

Author(s):

Eduardo Sánchez-Sánchez ◽

Jara Díaz-Jimenez ◽

Ignacio Rosety ◽

Maria José M. Alférez ◽

Antonio Jesús Díaz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Third Wave ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

The Third ◽

Moderate Stress

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. An increase in perceived stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as increased food consumption. The aim of this study was to find the level of perceived stress and its relationship with increased food consumption during the “third wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study that employed anonline self-reported frequency of consumption questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. A total of 637 subjects participated and 83.6% of respondents had moderate or high stress—more prevalent in the female and young respondents. Moreover, 36.1% of respondents reported that they had increased the frequency of consumption of some foods, mainly nuts, snacks, and jellybeans, along with coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. Eating between meals was more pronounced in those with high stress (65.1%) than in those with moderate stress (40.4%) and low stress (20.2%). Furthermore, the respondents with high stress reported greater weight gain. Thus, the results show that the level of perceived stress during the ‘third wave’ of this pandemic increased food consumption.

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Changes of Physical Activity and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents from Different Countries during Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12082289 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 2289 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

María Belén Ruíz-Roso ◽

Patricia de Carvalho Padilha ◽

Diana C. Matilla-Escalante ◽

Paola Brun ◽

Natalia Ulloa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Latin America ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Consumption Data ◽

Food Consumption Data

Aim: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16–19 years old (54.3%). Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80–4.94) of being inactive and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20–0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of inactivity was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation.

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Consumption of ultra-processed food products, diet quality and nutritional status among Mexican children

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120006126 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Alejandra Donaji Benítez-Arciniega ◽

Ivonne Vizcarra-Bordi ◽

Roxana Valdés-Ramos ◽

Leidi Rocío Mercado-García ◽

Carmen Liliana Ceballos-Juárez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Food Consumption ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Food System ◽

Positive Association ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Nutritional Deficiencies ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food

AbstractUltra-processed food consumption has increased in recent years. The evidence suggests a positive association between consumption of ultra-processed food consumption and low diet-quality and malnutrition, characterized by nutritional deficiencies and high prevalence of obesity and overweight. In México the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren is 33.2%, and ultra-processed food consumption varies from 40.4% to 81.5% depending on the product. The objective of this study was to describe the association between ultra-processed food consumption, diet-quality and nutritional status in Mexican schoolchildren. We analyzed dietetic and anthropometric data from 364 children (6–12 years) of two communities in the center of México. Four 3d-recalls (three days records followed up for ten months including weekdays and weekends) were used for data collection. Consumed foods were classified according to the level of processing using the NOVA classification. Portions of each food, dietary energy, macro and micronutrients intakes were calculated in accordance with the Mexican equivalent food system, nutrition labelling of each product and software Nutrimind® 15.0. Nutritional status was evaluated according to BMI categories; diet-quality was assessed calculating a dietary score. All data were adjusted by energy. In our study, 32% of foods consumed by schoolchildren were ultra-processed, 49% were minimally processed or unprocessed. 30% of the energy intake derived from ultra-processed foods (95% CI 29.2–33.2%). Major ultra-processed foods in habitual diet were bakery, pastries (23%), sugar-sweetened beverages (dairy and non-dairy) (22%), processed meat (18%), pizzas and pastas (9%), and canned vegetables (4%). Children in the highest quartile of ultra-processed foods consumption, presented lower diet-quality than those in the lowest quartile. In this group of children, 38.0% presented combined overweight or obesity, although there were no statistically significant differences between nutritional status and ultra-processed food consumption. Regular ultra-processed food consumption is associated with a lower diet quality in healthy schoolchildren. It is necessary to implement strategies to reduce intake of these products to avoid possible risks to health in early ages.

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Ultra-processed foods and the nutritional dietary profile in Brazil

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-8910.2015049006132 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽

Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins ◽

Daniela Silva Canella ◽

Larissa Galastri Baraldi ◽

Renata Bertazzi Levy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Free Sugar ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Minimally Processed ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutritional Profile ◽

Fiber Protein ◽

The Impact

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of consuming ultra-processed foods on the nutritional dietary profile in Brazil.METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted with data from the module on individual food consumption from the 2008-2009 Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF – Brazilian Family Budgets Survey). The sample, which represented the section of the Brazilian population aged 10 years or over, involved 32,898 individuals. Food consumption was evaluated by two 24-hour food records. The consumed food items were classified into three groups: natural or minimally processed, including culinary preparations with these foods used as a base; processed; and ultra-processed.RESULTS The average daily energy consumption per capita was 1,866 kcal, with 69.5% being provided by natural or minimally processed foods, 9.0% by processed foods and 21.5% by ultra-processed food. The nutritional profile of the fraction of ultra-processed food consumption showed higher energy density, higher overall fat content, higher saturated and trans fat, higher levels of free sugar and less fiber, protein, sodium and potassium, when compared to the fraction of consumption related to natural or minimally processed foods. Ultra-processed foods presented generally unfavorable characteristics when compared to processed foods. Greater inclusion of ultra-processed foods in the diet resulted in a general deterioration in the dietary nutritional profile. The indicators of the nutritional dietary profile of Brazilians who consumed less ultra-processed foods, with the exception of sodium, are the stratum of the population closer to international recommendations for a healthy diet.CONCLUSIONS The results from this study highlight the damage to health that is arising based on the observed trend in Brazil of replacing traditional meals, based on natural or minimally processed foods, with ultra-processed foods. These results also support the recommendation of avoiding the consumption of these kinds of foods.

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Caffeine consumption, intoxication, and stress among female university students: a cross-sectional study

Middle East Current Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s43045-021-00109-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Deemah A. AlAteeq ◽

Razan Alotaibi ◽

Raneem Al Saqer ◽

Njoud Alharbi ◽

Maram Alotaibi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Caffeine Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Stress Levels

Abstract Background University students use caffeine to cope with stress in spite of its adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to explore caffeine consumption among university students in Saudi Arabia, as well as its correlation with stress and caffeine intoxication. This cross-sectional study examined a convenience sample of 547 students at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU). A self-administrated questionnaire was used to assess caffeine consumption in milligrams per day, stress was assessed by the perceived stress scale (PSS), and caffeine intoxication was assessed using the DSM-5 criteria. Results The mean total caffeine consumption was 424.69 ± 385.31 mg/day. High levels of caffeine consumption were found among students of non-health colleges and students who were undiagnosed with psychiatric disorders (p values <0.040 and 0.027, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between caffeine consumption and perceived stress (p<0.045). Only 13.26% of all participants fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for caffeine use disorder. The majority of participants showed moderate and high stress levels (69.9% and 18.7%). Conclusion This study revealed high caffeine consumption and perceived stress levels among female undergraduate students with a significant positive association between them. The results emphasize the importance of educational campaigns about caffeine consumption and intoxication. They also encourage the development of stress management programs. Longitudinal studies need to be designed for evidence-based intervention.

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Consumption of ultra-processed foods and associated sociodemographic factors in the USA between 2007 and 2012: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020574 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e020574 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Larissa Galastri Baraldi ◽

Euridice Martinez Steele ◽

Daniela Silva Canella ◽

Carlos Augusto Monteiro

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

The Usa ◽

Nationally Representative

ObjectivesTo compare ultra-processed food consumption across sociodemographic groups and over time (2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012) in the USA.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012.ParticipantsAll individuals aged ≥2 years with at least one 24-hour dietary recall were included (n=23 847).Main outcome measuresAverage dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods (expressed as a percentage of the total caloric value of the diet), obtained after classifying all food items according to extent and purpose of industrial food processing using NOVA classification.Data analysisLinear regression was used to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics or NHANES cycles and dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods.ResultsAlmost 60% of calories consumed in the period 2007–2012 came from ultra-processed foods. Consumption of ultra-processed foods decreased with age and income level, was higher for non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks than for other race/ethnicity groups and lower for people with college than for lower levels of education, all differences being statistically significant. Overall contribution of ultra-processed foods increased significantly between NHANES cycles (nearly 1% point per cycle), the same being observed among males, adolescents and high school education-level individuals.ConclusionsUltra-processed food consumption in the USA in the period 2007–2012 was overall high, greater among non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks, less educated, younger, lower-income strata and increased across time.

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Ultra-processed food consumption and obesity in adolescents

Revista de Nutrição ◽

10.1590/1678-9865201932e180170 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carla Cristina ENES ◽

Carolina Moura de CAMARGO ◽

Maraisa Isabela Coelho JUSTINO

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Linear Trend ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Average Energy ◽

The Body ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Z Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and obesity indicators in adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 200 10- to 18-year-old adolescents from Campinas, São Paulo (SP). Usual dietary intake was determined through a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily intake of each food was obtained from the intake frequency. Subsequently, foods were classified as raw and minimally processed, cooking ingredients or ultra-processed foods, and their caloric contribution to the total energy value was calculated. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables were also investigated. Overweight was defined as Z-score>+1 and obesity was defined as Z-score>+2 according to the Body Mass Index per age group. The associations were tested by chi-square test and linear trend. Results The frequency of obesity was 47.0%, and 21.5% presented increased waist circumference. The average energy intake was 4,176kcal/day, of which 50.6% was derived from ultra-processed foods. The categories with the highest caloric contributions among ultra-processed foods were industrial loaves/cakes (16.2%), sweets and candy (6.2%), pastas (6.0%) and sweetened drinks (5.1%). No association was found between ultra-processed food consumption and anthropometric indicators. Conclusion The significant contribution of ultra-processed foods to daily calories is evidence of a poor diet of this population of young people, although this has not been shown as a factor associated with excess weight. Therefore, there is an urgent need for public policies that discourage the consumption of these products and encourage the return to a traditional diet.

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Ultra-processed food consumption and excess weight among US adults

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114518001046 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 120 (1) ◽

pp. 90-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Filippa Juul ◽

Euridice Martinez-Steele ◽

Niyati Parekh ◽

Carlos A. Monteiro ◽

Virginia W. Chang

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Excess Weight ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Processed Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

Dietary Data

AbstractUltra-processed foods provide 58 % of energy intake and 89 % of added sugars in the American diet. Nevertheless, the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight has not been investigated in a US sample. The present investigation therefore aims to examine the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight in a nationally representative sample of US adults. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric and dietary data from 15 977 adults (20–64 years) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2014. Dietary data were collected by 24-h recall. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Foods were classified as ultra-processed/non-ultra-processed according to the NOVA classification. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between ultra-processed food consumption (% energy) and BMI, WC and odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity (men: WC≥102 cm, women: WC≥88 cm). Prevalence of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity was 69·2, 36·1 and 53·0 %, respectively. Consuming ≥74·2 v. ≤36·5 % of total energy from ultra-processed foods was associated with 1·61 units higher BMI (95 % CI 1·11, 2·10), 4·07 cm greater WC (95 % CI 2·94, 5·19) and 48, 53 and 62 % higher odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity, respectively (OR 1·48; 95 % CI 1·25, 1·76; OR 1·53; 95 % CI 1·29, 1·81; OR 1·62; 95 % CI 1·39, 1·89, respectively; Pfor trend<0·001 for all). A significant interaction between being female and ultra-processed food consumption was found for BMI (F4,79=4·89, P=0·002), WC (F4,79=3·71, P=0·008) and BMI≥25 kg/m2 (F4,79=5·35, P<0·001). As the first study in a US population, our findings support that higher consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with excess weight, and that the association is more pronounced among women.

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Perceived Stress Levels in Pakistani Dental Students During COVID-19 Lockdown

European Journal of Dental and Oral Health ◽

10.24018/ejdent.2020.1.4.14 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Hina Zafar Raja ◽

Muhammad Nasir Saleem ◽

Tayyaba Saleem ◽

Haroon Rashid ◽

Saroosh Ehsan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

High Stress ◽

Dental Students ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Behavioral Stress ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Multiple Variables

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the stress levels of Pakistani dental students through an established stress assessment tool during lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study using a self-administered, voluntarily filled online questionnaire was conducted on undergraduate dental students from first to fourth (Final) years of dental institutes across Pakistan, accredited by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC). Study questionnaire contained questions on demographic details; gender, province of college, province of residence and perceived stress scale of 10 questions. It also contained questions about the presence of any symptoms relevant to a particular type of stress. i.e. emotional stress, physical (body related) stress, behavioral stress and cognitive stress. Descriptive statistics were calculated for gender, residence of participants, location of institutes, levels of stress and symptoms signifying a particular stress type. Multiple variables of each stress type were compared with categories of perceived stress scores using chi square test. Results: 706 dental students responded. 53.5% were going through high stress levels, 43.4% were going through moderate stress levels while 2.9% were having low stress levels. Majority of the participants with moderate and high stress levels were from institutions located in provinces with increased number of COVID-19 positive cases. Among moderate and highly stressed participants, more than 68% were females. A significant number of dental students reported symptoms pertaining to emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioral stress due to the COVID-19 disease. Conclusion: Majority of Pakistani dental students are suffering from moderate to high stress levels specially in provinces with a higher number of COVID-19 affected reported cases. There are considerable effects on emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioral states of Pakistani dental students due to the spread of this disease.

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Stress level and sleep quality of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-210538 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Şebnem Bilgiç ◽

Ülfiye Çelikkalp ◽

Cem Mısırlı

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Stress Level ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

High Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Family ◽

Stress Levels

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection is transmitted easily and quickly, and nurses constitute the riskiest group of healthcare workers. Therefore, they may experience high levels of stress and sleep problems. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the stress levels and sleep quality of nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 nurses working in a pandemic hospital in a city center. A descriptive form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to collect data. RESULTS: A positive, moderately significant correlation was found between the average PSQI score of nurses and the average perceived stress score (p≤0.001). Multiple regressions determined that shift work, stress level, a coworker having COVID-19, being out of home due to the risk of transmission, and having a person older than 65 in the home were effective predictors of sleep quality (R2 = 33.5, p≤0.001). Age, years worked, fear of infecting the family with COVID-19, receiving COVID-19 education, regular nutrition, and sleep quality were effective predictors of stress level (R2 = 32.2, p≤0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that nurses have low sleep quality and high stress levels during the pandemic process.

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