Determining How Nutritional Status is related to Anger Level and Anxiety Status in Persons

Abstract

Abstract Background Nutriments affect psychology and psychological state affects nutritional status of people. The present study is, therefore, intended to find out how nutritional status is related to levels of anger and anxiety in people receiving nutritional consultation. Methods This descriptive-type cross-sectional study includes a universe of 180 individuals aged over 18 who received nutrition counseling between August-December 2018. The approval of the ethics committee and of the relevant institution was obtained in order to conduct the study. The questionnaire form used to retrieve the data herein consists of socio-demographic characteristics, Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, food consumption frequency, and food consumption record. Chi-Square test, Student t-test, and One-way ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set as p < 0.05. Results In the study group, those who consumed milk once a month had a subscale score of trait anger (22.83±3.13) that was significantly higher than that of those consumed it 3-5 times a week (18.74±3.93)(p = 0.025). Those who consumed fast food 1-2 times a week and 3-5 times a week had an anger expression score of 16.17±2.81 and 16.43±3.69, respectively; which were significantly higher than that of those consumed fast food once a month(14.07±2.42) and once every 15 days(14.12±3.05) (p = 0.028). The anger control subscale score of those who consume red meat daily is significantly lower than those who consume red meat 1-2 times a week and 3-5 times a week(p = 0.048). The body mass index and anxiety level did not have a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions In the study group, it was found that the trait anger score was low in the groups with less consumption of milk, the anger expression score was higher in the groups with increased fast food consumption, and the anger management score was lower in the group with more frequent red meat consumption. Key messages People who consume fast food more frequently have increased anger expression. The level of trait anger increases as the milk consumption diminishes.