ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES: STRESS AS A CULPABLE FACTOR INFLUENCING DIETARY CHOICES AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Shivani Surpur; Radhika P Hedaoo; SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu

Volume : VII, Issue : VI, June - 2017

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES: STRESS AS A CULPABLE FACTOR INFLUENCING DIETARY CHOICES AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Shivani Surpur, Radhika P Hedaoo, Subbarao M Gavaravarapu

Abstract :

Stress in adolescents is a major lifestyle indicator which has a beå on dietary habits and associated long–term disease risk. The aim of this cross–sectional study was to examine the prevalence of stress and its association with dietary choices among randomly selected adolescents (12–14 years, N= 200). Stress was measured using Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS–14) and tailored academic stress scale (Sun et al, 2011). Dietary choices assessed using food frequency questionnaire. The results revealed girls reported higher stress (61.6%) compared to boys (53.4%).There was a positive correlation between perceived– academic stress and consumption of bakery– confectionary products (r= 0.146*, p<0.05), other savory products (r=0.168*, p<0.05) and soft drinks (p<0.05). The associations among high stress and high fat and sugar foods show stress as a conducive factor upsetting dietary choices. Hence call for a multi–modal approach to tackle stress and unhealthy dietary choices.