THE EFFECTS OF DIET, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL FACTORS ON STRESS PERCEIVED BY STUDENTS

Abstract

Backgroud. General health status of students is becoming worse due to an intensive lifestyle: a difficult job or study routine, improper diet, and low physical activity (Poteliūnienė, 2010). One of the common problems among students is stress. Stressful situations on a daily basis have been found to be associated with a worse physical and psychological status, harmful habits or personal relationships with friends (Dusselier, Dunn, Wang, Shelley, & Whalen, 2005; Leppink, Odlaug, Lust, Christenson, & Grant, 2016). Methods. According to the following questionnaires, dietary habits and some social peculiarities (Grabauskas, Zaborskis, Klumbienė, Petkevičienė, & Žemaitienė, 2004), physical activity (Aadahl & JØrgensen, 2003) and perceived stress (Konduri, Gupchup, Borrego, & Worley-Louis, 2006) by female and male students were determined. The data obtained were processed using mathematical statistical methods. The relationships between qualitative determinants were evaluated by chi square (χ 2 ) criterion. A value at p < .05 was considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 17.0) (Statistical Package for Social Science 17.0 for Windows) statistical software package. Results. Male students (54.2%) who were following a dietary regime reported experiencing low level of stress, and those students (45.2%) who were not having a dietary regime perceived moderate level of stress. Married female students (80%) responded that they experienced low level of stress, moderate level of stress was indicated by 72.7% of females living with a partner and 40% of females who had a boyfriend, and 38.5% of single females reported having high level of stress. Conclusions. Male students who were following a dietary regimen reported experiencing lower level of stress, and those students who were not having a dietary regimen responded that they perceived moderate level of stress. A dietary regimen and perceived stress did not differ among female students. Different levels of physical activity were not associated with stress experienced by female and male students (p > .05). Married female students did not perceive high level of stress; moderate level was reported by females living with a partner; high level of stress – by single students. Marital status and perceived stress did not differ in male students.