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). 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. Keywords: physical activity, diet, social factors, stress.