ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STRESS, EATING BEHAVIOUR AND THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AMONG UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between stress, eating behaviors and risk of cardiovascular diseases in employees of University, in western India.
 Method: 123 employees, aged between 20 to 60 years were randomly selected from the various departments of university. A cardiovascular risk assessment tool was developed to assess the cardiovascular risk in the participants. For the assessment of compulsive eating, Compulsive eating scale (CES) was used and to assess the level of psychological stress among study participants Stressful Situations Questionnaire (SSQ) was used. Anthropometric and biophysical measurements of the participants were also recorded.
 Results: 63% respondents had high stress, whereas compulsive eating was present in 56.9% respondents. Cardio vascular disease risk was associated with psychological stress (r = 0.214 and significance =0.01) and eating behaviors. (r =0.196 and significance = 0.030). Stress and eating behavior were also positively correlated with each other. (r =0.756 and significance = 0.000). Cardiovascular diseases was found to be significantly related with eating behaviors, psychological stress, BMI, waist hip ratio, age and high blood pressure (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the level of psychological stress and compulsive eating is high among university employees and that increases their risk for CVD. Obese employees tend to be in stressful situation that leads to compulsive eating.