Association between Academic Stress and Eating Patterns among University Students

Abstract

The enhanced prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression among university students is of great concern. Stress and lack of time due to studies puts students’ health and wellbeing at risk and the most concerning factor is how their eating patterns are being affected. Objective: To assess eating patterns and compare its association with stress among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in different universities of Lahore from September 2022 to December 2022. Data had been collected from 100 students by using non-probability convenient sampling, with the help of a self-constructed questionnaire. Results: Almost 70% students reported that they have one meal a day while most 2% students had 2 meals a day and 28% students had 3 meals a day under academic stress (p-value = 0.031). Approximately 61% students were having late night meals more than 2 times a week under educational pressure (p-value = 0.028). Around 68% students were missing their breakfast more than 2 times a week while worrying about the examinations (p-value = 0.03). Nearly 59% students were forgetting to take proper meals due to stress of exams preparation (p-value = 0.037). Almost 43% students were caffeine dependent due to academic stress. Conclusions: There is a significant link found between change in eating patterns due to the academic stress and pressure among university students.