A Study on Stress Eating PHED 101 Mindless Eating Mini Project Cynthia Burton & Emilia Gamble

We are conducting a study on changes in eating habits (meal quantity per day, types of food eaten, appetite, hunger, frequency) based upon whether the subject is stressed or not. Topic of Study

We asked our participants to fill out a survey regarding their eating habits on a normal day versus a stressed day. Here is a link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeszVBC9n7hscV3scE5 mpfK-csDwdodUzY2isKMT6JLdFl1xg/viewform?usp=sf_link Method

This study is relevant because as college students, we are under stress more often than not. With this study, we can become more aware of our eating habits while we’re under stress, and hopefully understand how it affects our health. Once we realize our bad habits, we are more likely to know how to change them. Why is this relevant?

Our participants were mostly Longwood students, which means that they were predominantly female. Furthermore, all of our participants were 22 years old or younger. 60% were 20 years old or younger 70% were female 50% were sophomores in college We have to be aware that our study is slightly biased, as we only targeted students who were in our circles.   Participants

Our hypothesis is that when stressed, the participant will eat more unhealthy foods, such as salty and sweet foods. Our Hypothesis

Summary of Research Findings On a normal day: * 63.6% of participants have 2 meals with light snacking 72.7% of participants normally eat the Fruit and Vegetables, Crunchy, and Grains categories 54.5% of participants are neutral about eating unhealthy while not stressed 90.9% of participants disagree that they eat more frequently while not stressed 54.5% of participants disagree that they feel more hungry while not stressed 45.5% of participants disagree that they have more of an appetite while not stressed On a stressful day: * 45.5% of participants eat 2 meals with heavy snacking 90.9% of participants eat Crunchy foods while stressed 63.6% of participants agree that they eat more unhealthy foods while stressed 45.5% of participants agree that they eat more frequently while stressed 27.3% of participants agree AND 27.3% of participants disagree that they have more of an appetite while stressed 45.5% of participants disagree that they feel more hungry while stressed Summary of Research Findings * We would like to note that these percentages represent the majorities of the votes for each question. In the following slides, you can see the graphs that represent all of the votes per question.

Findings of the Research: “Normal Day” Graphs

Findings of the Research: “Normal Day” Graphs

Findings of the Research: “Stressed Day” Graphs

Findings of the Research: “Stressed Day” Graphs

Were the results similar throughout the subjects tested? The result findings from our “Normal Day” questions showed fairly similar results from our participants (with slight variations here and there). Most of our participants ate the same types and amounts of food on normal days, and most of them disagreed with our 4 statements. However, our findings from our “Stressful Day” questions show less similarity among out participants. While most participants agreed to the type of they eat while stressed and whether they would consider it more unhealthy, our other questions had less than a majority who answered. Were the results similar throughout the subjects tested?

Did the findings match our hypothesis? Our hypothesis was proven partially correct – more students agreed to eating more unhealthy while stressed. However, our questions concerning the frequency of eating, feelings of hunger, amount of appetite, and how many meals a participant would eat while stressed were inconclusive. Did the findings match our hypothesis?

Though our hypothesis was partially incorrect, we can observe just how varied students’ reactions to stress can be. While some students feel they both eat and feel hungry more on a stressful day, others feel like they both eat and feel hungry less. What observations we made (regarding the results) about the population of Longwood

How can these results help to change “Mindless Eating”? As was mentioned previously, college students undergo stress frequently through their academic career. If students were to be more mindful of their eating habits on a stressful day, “mindless eating” could be more avoidable. By recognizing how mood affects different facets of our daily routines – in this case, our eating habits – one can learn to adapt and return to their norms. How can these results help to change “Mindless Eating”?