Stress, Emotional Eating and Food Choices Among University Students During the Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on stress and eating behaviours. This study aims to determine the relationship between stress, emotional eating, and food choices among university students during the Covid-19. A total of 273 university students participated in this cross-sectional study. Online self-administered questionnaires were used to determine the stress intensity, emotional eating, and eating behaviours. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Almost half (49.8%) of the participants experienced high stress. In males, the high-stress group consumed sweets or sugars more frequently than the low-stress group (p<0.05). In females, the high-stress group consumed more sweets or sugar and cakes or cookies but less milk products and fresh fruits than the low-stress group (p<0.05). Students with higher negative emotion scores consumed less cooked vegetables (r=-0.133; p<0.05) whereas students with higher positive emotion scores consumed more fast food (r=0.208; p<0.001), sweets or sugar (r=0.139; p<0.05) and cakes or cookies (r=0.139; p<0.05). Body Mass Index (BMI) was positively correlated with negative emotions (r=0.134; p<0.05), negative situations (r=0.161; p<0.01), and total negative Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ) scores (r=0.168; p<0.01). In conclusion, Covid-19 brings negative impact on stress. University students shifted food preferences from healthy foods to palatable foods and this could result in adverse health outcomes. Therefore, stress management interventions and nutrition education should be implemented to reduce stress and overcome stress-induced eating behaviour among private university students during the Covid-19.

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A systematic review of the association between emotions and eating behaviour in normal and overweight adult populations

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105317697813 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 3-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Tracey J Devonport ◽

Wendy Nicholls ◽

Christopher Fullerton

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Quality Analysis ◽

Future Research ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Overweight Adult ◽

Methodological Considerations ◽

Meta Analyses

A systematic review was completed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (2004–2015) yielded 60,017 articles, of which 29 met inclusion criteria. Included studies performed poorly on data quality analysis in terms of randomisation and controlling for confounding factors. Participant’s body mass index scores range from 19.73 (standard deviation = 1.54) to 28.4 (standard deviation = 1.4) kg/m2. Where positive and negative affects were compared, food was more likely to be consumed in response to positive affect. With regard to discrete emotions; stress, depression and sadness consistently elicited eating behaviours that fall outside of nutritional recommendations (e.g. increased food intake or poor nutritional food choices). The role of moderators including individual differences in dietary restraint and emotional eating, as well as methodological considerations, such as means of eliciting and measuring emotions, may account for equivocality with regard to some emotion and eating associations. This article concludes with recommendations for future research and implications for practice.

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Eating Behaviours of British University Students: A Cluster Analysis on a Neglected Issue

Advances in Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/639239 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Jina Tanton ◽

Lorna J. Dodd ◽

Lorayne Woodfield ◽

Mzwandile Mabhala

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

University Students ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

University Student ◽

Self Report ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Fast Foods ◽

Undergraduate University Students ◽

Unhealthy Diet

Unhealthy diet is a primary risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. University student populations are known to engage in health risking lifestyle behaviours including risky eating behaviours. The purpose of this study was to examine eating behaviour patterns in a population of British university students using a two-step cluster analysis. Consumption prevalence of snack, convenience, and fast foods in addition to fruit and vegetables was measured using a self-report “Student Eating Behaviours” questionnaire on 345 undergraduate university students. Four clusters were identified: “risky eating behaviours,” “mixed eating behaviours,” “moderate eating behaviours,” and “favourable eating behaviours.” Nineteen percent of students were categorised as having “favourable eating behaviours” whilst just under a third of students were categorised within the two most risky clusters. Riskier eating behaviour patterns were associated with living on campus and Christian faith. The findings of this study highlight the importance of university microenvironments on eating behaviours in university student populations. Religion as a mediator of eating behaviours is a novel finding.

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Snacking cessation: It’s time to challenge this eating behaviour

The Journal of Health Design ◽

10.21853/jhd.2021.127 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 351-355

Author(s):

Catherine Krejany ◽

Epi Kanjo ◽

Moyez Jiwa

Keyword(s):

Social Norms ◽

Food Choice ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Food Choices ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Eating Pattern ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Health Challenge ◽

The Way

Our habits have changed over the generations. In particular, our eating behaviours continue to adapt and are intrinsically linked with changing social norms and myriad other influences leading us to consume more. In light of the obesity epidemic that threatens to be our greatest health challenge, the race is on to find new ways to modify or alter our food choices to those considered more “healthful”. Somewhere along the way snacking has become an acceptable eating pattern. We are uncomfortable foregoing these readily available and hedonistic food rewards. It may be time to change more than our food choice and question the need to snack at all.

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Impact of COVID-19 on public mental health and the buffering effect of sense of coherence

10.31219/osf.io/4ptfz ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Schäfer ◽

Roxanne Sopp ◽

Christian Schanz ◽

Marlene Staginnus ◽

Anja S. Göritz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Negative Impact ◽

High Stress ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Change Score ◽

Stress Group ◽

Psychopathological Symptoms ◽

Traumatic Distress ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction. It is claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on mental health. However, to date, prospective studies are lacking. Moreover, it is important to identify which factors modulate the stress response to the pandemic. Previously, sense of coherence (SOC) has emerged as a particularly important resistance factor. Objective. This prospective study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and to investigate the ability of pre-outbreak SOC levels to predict changes in psychopathological symptoms.Methods. The study assessed psychopathological symptoms and SOC before and after the COVID-19 outbreak as well as post-outbreak COVID-19-related traumatic distress in a German-speaking sample (N=1,591). Bivariate latent change score (BLCS) modelling was used to analyse pre-to-post outbreak changes in psychopathological symptoms and the ability of SOC to predict symptom changes.Results. Overall, there was no change in psychopathological symptoms. However, on individual-respondent level 10% experienced a clinically significant increase in psychopathological symptoms, and 15% met cut-off criteria for COVID-19-related traumatic distress. Using BLCS modelling, we identified a high-stress group experiencing an increase in psychopathological symptoms and a decrease in SOC and a low-stress group showing the reversed pattern. Changes in SOC and psychopathological symptoms were predicted by pre-outbreak SOC and psychopathological symptom levels. Conclusions. Although mental health was stable in most respondents, a relevant proportion of the sample experienced increased psychopathological symptoms due to COVID-19. Since higher SOC was predictive of smaller changes in symptom levels, SOC training might be a promising approach to enhance resistance to stressors.

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Breastfeeding and maternal eating behaviours are associated with child eating behaviours: findings from the ROLO Kids Study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/s41430-020-00764-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Cara A. Yelverton ◽

Aisling A. Geraghty ◽

Eileen C. O’Brien ◽

Sarah Louise Killeen ◽

Mary K. Horan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emotional Eating ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Breastfeeding Duration ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Mother And Child ◽

Child Eating ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Child eating behaviours can negatively contribute to the development of childhood obesity. This study investigated associations between breastfeeding habits, maternal eating behaviours and child eating behaviours, in 5-year-old children. Methods Secundigravida women were recruited to the ROLO dietary randomised controlled trial (Dublin, Ireland) and were followed up with their children to 5 years of age. Breastfeeding exposure and duration were obtained at postnatal and infant follow-up at 2 and 6 months and 2 and 5 years. At 5 years, maternal and child eating behaviours were measured using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, respectively. Regression determined associations between breastfeeding habits and maternal eating behaviours with child eating behaviours, controlling for RCT group, maternal education level, maternal BMI at 5 years, childcare exposure and child BMI centile at 5-year follow-up. Results There were 230 mother and child pairs analysed. One hundred and fifty-eight mothers had initiated breastfeeding. Median breastfeeding duration was 22 (IQR 33) weeks. Children who were never breastfed were more likely to express a desire to drink (B = −1.01, p = 0.022). Longer breastfeeding duration was associated with lower food responsiveness (B = −1.71, p = 0.003). Maternal uncontrolled eating was positively associated with child food responsiveness, emotional overeating and emotional undereating (B = 0.21, p < 0.001; B = 0.14, p = 0.005; B = 0.14, p = 0.005, respectively). Maternal emotional eating was associated with child emotional overeating and undereating (B = 0.27, p < 0.001, B = 0.29, p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion Not breastfeeding and short breastfeeding duration may contribute to the development of obesogenic eating behaviours in children, alongside maternal eating behaviours including uncontrolled and emotional eating. These ‘food approach’ eating behaviours may increase risk of overweight/obesity as they are associated with increased energy intake, hence the importance of research surrounding eating behaviours.

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Changes in Eating Behaviour during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic among the Inhabitants of Five European Countries

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10071624 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1624

Author(s):

Paulina Górska ◽

Ilona Górna ◽

Izabela Miechowicz ◽

Juliusz Przysławski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Great Britain ◽

Weight Reduction ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

European Countries ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Nutritional Values ◽

Survey Results ◽

The Impact

Psychological factors and restrictions imposed due to the pandemic may influence eating behaviours and physical activity. With the above thesis in mind, questionnaire-based surveys were conducted amongst residents of five European countries: Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Great Britain (England and Scotland). A specially devised, structured questionnaire was used to conduct anonymous internet surveys between 28 April and 16 July 2020. It contained questions pertaining to sociodemographic data, eating behaviours, the impact of the pandemic on the diet and physical activity. The questionnaire was made available to internet users in Poland, Italy, Spain, Great Britain (England and Scotland), and Portugal. The questionnaire was translated by native speakers into five languages: Polish, English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Survey results were then analysed using StatSoft’s Statistica v. 13 software and Cytel’s StatXact v. 9.0.0. Age was the parameter that impacted changing eating behaviours to the largest extent during the pandemic. It was also found that during the pandemic, regular consumption of meals was most dependent on various factors. The negative impact of the pandemic within this scope was most profound amongst women, city residents regardless of gender and people over 35 years of age. A change in the frequency of consumption of selected product groups during the pandemic was also observed. Reduced consumption of meat and fish was identified. Especially among people under 35 living in Portugal, almost half—45.5% (p = 0.0210) declared lower consumption of meat, and more than half—54.5% (p = 0.011) reported lower consumption of fish. An analysis of the obtained results also showed an increase in the consumption of products with lower nutritional values, particularly amongst people under 35 years of age and also amongst residents of Great Britain (regardless of age). Moreover, the results showed that the pandemic may have had an impact on the weight reduction diet. A negative impact was declared by 16.5% of people, compared to 9.7% who said that the pandemic facilitated the use of the weight reduction diet (p = 0.006). The results of our survey also showed a decrease in the level of physical activity among people over 35 living in Poland (69.6%, p = 0.0497) and people living in Portuguese cities (72.73%, p = 0.0245). Our survey results showed that the impact of the pandemic on eating behaviours was particularly profound when it came to meal consumption regularity. Changes to the consumption of products with lower nutritional values, which may decrease immunity, have also been found during the pandemic. Our results showed that the problem associated with consuming products with lower nutritional values was particularly evident amongst people under 35. Considering the global character of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, further research is necessary to determine its impact on the diet, nutritional status and physical activity.

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Prevalence of Emotional Eating and Its Associated Psychosocial Factors Among Urban Chinese Undergraduates In Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-39467/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katherine YP Sze ◽

Eric KP Lee ◽

Rufina HW Chan ◽

Jean H. Kim

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

University Students ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Background Information ◽

Mild Stress ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating to cope with negative emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and associated factors of EE among urban Chinese adolescents. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18-24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents were randomly invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire that obtained background information, emotional eating subscale of Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with emotional eating.Results There was nearly a four-fold higher likelihood of EE among females (14.8%) compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR=3.7). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with EE among males (OR=10.1) while for females, EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR=3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR=44.5) and having at least mild stress (OR=5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with EE for either gender. Higher EE scores were associated with worse perceived health and worse life satisfaction in both genders and associated with higher BMI among females. ConclusionsThis study revealed that EE is prevalent in female Chinese university students and not uncommon in male students. To address disordered eating, regional health promotion programmes may strategically target those at high-risk for depression.

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Adolescent perspectives of the recreational ice hockey food environment and influences on eating behaviour revealed through photovoice

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018000289 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 1255-1265 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M Susan Caswell ◽

Rhona M Hanning

Keyword(s):

Eating Behaviour ◽

Food Choices ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Food Research ◽

Recreational Facility ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Brand Promotion ◽

Quick Service

AbstractObjectiveUnhealthy dietary behaviours are prevalent among adolescents. This might relate, in part, to obesogenic environments, including recreation food facilities. The REFRESH Study (Recreation Environment and Food Research: Experiences from Hockey) aimed to explore, from the perspectives of adolescent ice hockey players and parents, broad social and physical environmental influences on adolescent food behaviours associated with hockey participation.DesignPlayers used photovoice to describe their food experiences in relation to ice hockey. The approach included photos, individual interviews and focus groups. Exemplar photographs were exhibited for stakeholders, including five parents who were interviewed. Interview and focus group transcripts were thematically analysed.SettingRecreational ice hockey environment, Ontario, Canada, 2015–16.SubjectsIce hockey players (n24) aged 11–15 years recruited from five leagues.ResultsDominant influences among players included: their perceived importance of nutrients (e.g. protein) or foods (e.g. chocolate milk) for performance and recovery; marketing and branding (e.g. the pro-hockey aura of Tim Horton’s®, Canada’s largest quick-service restaurant); social aspects of tournaments and team meals; and moral values around ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ food choices. Both players and parents perceived recreational facility food options as unhealthy and identified that travel and time constraints contributed to less healthy choices.ConclusionsResults indicate recreation facilities are only one of a range of environments that influence eating behaviours of adolescent ice hockey players. Players’ susceptibility to advertising/brand promotion and the value of healthy food choices for performance are findings that can inform policy and interventions to support healthy environments and behaviours.

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Age, sex & BMI are associated with different eating behaviour styles in Irish teens

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120002992 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Aisling Daly ◽

Elizabeth O'Sullivan ◽

Breige McNulty ◽

Janette Walton ◽

John Kearney

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Food Choices ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Restrained Eating ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Emotional Cues ◽

Food Consumption Survey ◽

F 224 ◽

Post Hoc

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the types of eating behaviours most common among Irish teenagers and to explore their association with age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI). Eating behaviour data from the National Teenage Food Consumption Survey (NTFS1 2005/06 n = 441, m/f 224/217) were analysed. The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) contains 33 items, which make up 3 scales: Restraint (DEBQ-Res, 10 items), Emotional (DEBQ-Em, 13 items), External (DEBQ-Ex, 10 items). All items are answered on a 5 point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric Wilcoxin-Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests, one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey analysis, and Spearman correlations were run to test associations between age, sex and BMI variables and the 3 DEBQ scales. Data were analysed for the full group and stratified by sex and age groups (13–14/15–17 years). BMI categories were determined using age and sex-specific IOTF cut-offs. Mean(SD) scores among the whole group were DEBQ-Ex = 2.83(0.72), DEBQ-Res = 1.79(0.84), DEBQ-Em = 1.84(0.79). Females scored higher than males on all 3 scales; DEBQ-Res P < 0.001, DEBQ-Em P < 0.001, DEBQ-Ex P = 0.037. Older teens scored significantly higher than younger teens on DEBQ-Em (P < 0.001) and DEBQ-Ex (P = 0.005). Scores were higher for older males compared with younger males on DEBQ-Em (P = 0.009) and DEBQ-Ex (P = 0.017), and for older females compared with younger females on DEBQ-Res (P = 0.031) and DEBQ-Em (P = 0.001). BMI was positively correlated with DEBQ-Res for both males (r = 0.18, P = 0.007) and females (r = 0.337, P < 0.001) and with DEBQ-Em for females (r = 0.153 P = 0.026). When comparing BMI categories, teens classified as overweight (P < 0.001) and obese (P = 0.005) scored higher on DEBQ-Res than normal-weight teens. Similar associations were observed when the sample was split by sex and by age group. Overall, Irish teens’ eating behaviours are mostly influenced by external factors, such as the sight or smell of food, rather than by restrained eating or emotional cues for eating. However, not all teens respond to the same influences. Females respond more than males to emotional cues for eating. Older teens have higher scores than younger teens on all scales. BMI is mostly associated with restrained eating, which is consistent with other literature suggesting that heavier teens are more aware of what they are eating and make focussed food choices to prevent weight gain. When targeting food choice messages to teens, a “one-size-fits-all” model may not be appropriate. Multiple factors, including age, sex and BMI differences, should be considered in order to encourage a positive change in eating behaviours.

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Preliminary findings on the relationship between gender, FTO rs9939609, leptin & ghrelin levels and eating behaviours of adults

10.21203/rs.3.rs-35478/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

DUYGU AĞAGÜNDÜZ ◽

Makbule GEZMEN-KARADAĞ

Keyword(s):

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Fto Gene ◽

Serum Leptin ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference ◽

Fto Rs9939609 ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations in the first intron of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene (rs9939609) have been reported to be associated with obesity and eating behaviour in children and adults in widespread populations. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between FTO gene polymorphism and eating behaviour in adults with different genders. Methods The present study included 200 participants (100 males,100 females) aged 18-65 years, who were genotyped for FTO gene (rs9939609) polymorphism. Eating behaviour were evaluated via revised 18-item of the three-factor eating questionnaire(TFEQ-R18). Serum leptin& ghrelin were analysed. ABI TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays (LightCycler 480 System, Roche) was used to determine the intronic FTO gene rs9939609 (T/A) SNPs. Results Total 68.4% of individuals with AA genotype which was homozygote risky genotype for obesity were female and 31.6% were male(p<0.05). When eating behaviour scores of individuals according to genders, the difference between the cognitive restraint scores (M:16.7±2.74 vs. F:16.1±2.34; p<0.05) and emotional eating score(M:10.2±2.26 vs. F:8.5±2.84) was statistically significant(p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the total scores of the TFEQ-R18 of males and females (p>0.05). When examining eating behaviour scores of individuals according to genotypes; it was found that no statistically significant difference between the sub-dimensions and total scores of TFEQ-R18. However, total score of TFEQ-R18 was negatively associated with the serum leptin in females with AA genotype(p<0.05), and positively associated with the serum ghrelin levels in males with TT genotype(p<0.05). Conclusion It was determined that eating behaviours in adults differed by gender rather than genotypes of FTO gene (rs9939609) polymorphism and gender was important factor for eating behaviour related to FTO gene rs9939609 genotypes in association with serum leptin-ghrelin level.

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