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Research and Reviews: A Journal of Medicine Original Research

Gender Specifications for Stress and Dietary Behaviour Among First Year University Students

  1. Haitham Assem Abdalrazak Department of psychiatry, International Medical School, Management and Science University
  2. Aiia Syuhada Binta Apandi Department of biomedical science, International Medical School, Management and Science University
  3. Omayma M. Attalla Department of Pharmaceutical, Emergency hospital, Mansoura University,
  4. Hassan Omar Ads Department of Radiology, Cairo university
  5. Sakina Ruhi Department of Biochemistry, International Medical School, Management and Science University
  6. Jalal Ibrahim Department of Internal Medicine, International Medical School, Management and Science University
  7. Sohayla M. Attalla Department of Forensic Medicine, International Medical School, Management and Science University

Abstract

Background & Aims: Research indicates that significant percentage of university students experience stress. The association between psychological stress and dietary behaviour still inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress and dietary behaviour among first-year university students and assess the study participants' dietary behaviour. Material & Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 311 first-year university students (120 male and 191 female students), aged over 18 years at Management and Science University. The participants responded to a questionnaire that contained sociodemographic information, stress measures, and a 7-day food frequency questionnaire.

Results: The study found that 45.7% of participants reported experiencing some level of stress, with 177 females and 106 males affected. The severity of stress was notably higher in females (53.4%) compared to males (33.3%). Stressed female students consume fast foods, snacks, and sugary beverages more than their unstressed counterparts while, male students did not show a significant association between stress levels and food consumption patterns.

Conclusion: There is an obvious gender difference in food selection patterns. Stress is strongly linked to unhealthy food choices among females. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted intervention programs aimed at reducing stress and promoting healthier eating behaviours, particularly among female university students, to mitigate the potential negative health implications associated with stress. This research contributes to existing knowledge by elucidating gender-specific dietary responses to stress in a university context, paving the way for more tailored health interventions.

Keywords

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