Effects of academic examination stress on eating behavior and blood lipid levels

Abstract

The influence of academic examination stress on eating behavior and lipid profiles and the moderating effect of dietary restraint, trait anxiety, and social support availability was assessed in university students. One hundred and seventy-nine students were divided into exam-stress groups (51 women, 64 men) and control groups (48 women, 16 men) and were assessed at baseline and then within 2 weeks of exams or an equivalent point for the control group. Perceived stress, emotional well-being, and fasting lipid profiles were measured, and dietary information was collected by interview. The exam-stress group reported significant increases in perceived stress and deterioration in emotional well-being at the exam sessions compared with baseline sessions. No general effects of exam stress on food intake were observed, and there was no interaction between stress and dietary restraint. However, students in the exam-stress group with high trait anxiety and low social support showed significant increases in total energy intake between baseline and exam sessions, whereas individuals with low trait anxiety and high social support showed a reduction in energy intake. Students with high trait anxiety and low social support showed increases between baseline and exam sessions in the amount of fat and saturated fat consumed. Women in the exam-stress group taking oral contraceptives showed a significant increase in total cholesterol between baseline and exam sessions. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of naturally occurring episodic stress on health behavior and on lipid profiles.