Chen Du1, Megan Chong Hueh Zan2, Min Jung Cho3, Jenifer I Fenton1, Pao Ying Hsiao4, Richard Hsiao5, Laura Keaver6, Chang-Chi Lai7, HeeSoon Lee8, Mary-Jon Ludy9, Wan Shen9, Winnie Chee Siew Swee2, Jyothi Thrivikraman3, Kuo-Wei Tseng7, Wei-Chin Tseng7, Stephen Doak6, Sara Yi Ling Folk1, Robin M Tucker1. 1. Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. 2. Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia. 3. Global Public Health, Leiden University College, 2595 DG The Hague, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Food and Nutrition, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705, USA. 5. Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705, USA. 6. Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland. 7. Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Taipei, Taipei 11153, Taiwan. 8. Department of Human Services, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. 9. Department of Public and Allied Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the already high levels of stress that higher education students experience. Stress influences health behaviors, including those related to dietary behaviors, alcohol, and sleep; yet the effects of stress can be mitigated by resilience. To date, past research studying the connections between dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep, and resilience commonly investigated singular relationships between two of the constructs. The aim of the current study was to explore the relationships between these constructs in a more holistic manner using mediation and moderation analyses. METHODS: Higher education students from China, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the United States were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from April to May 2020, which was during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for most participants. An online survey, using validated tools, was distributed to assess perceived stress, dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep quality and duration, and resilience. RESULTS: 2254 students completed the study. Results indicated that sleep quality mediated the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors as well as the relationship between perceived stress and alcohol misuse. Further, increased resilience reduced the strength of the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors but not alcohol misuse. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, higher education students are likely to benefit from sleep education and resilience training, especially during stressful events.
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the already high levels of stress that higher education students experience. Stress influences health behaviors, including those related to dietary behaviors, alcohol, and sleep; yet the effects of stress can be mitigated by resilience. To date, past research studying the connections between dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep, and resilience commonly investigated singular relationships between two of the constructs. The aim of the current study was to explore the relationships between these constructs in a more holistic manner using mediation and moderation analyses. METHODS: Higher education students from China, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the United States were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from April to May 2020, which was during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for most participants. An online survey, using validated tools, was distributed to assess perceived stress, dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep quality and duration, and resilience. RESULTS: 2254 students completed the study. Results indicated that sleep quality mediated the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors as well as the relationship between perceived stress and alcohol misuse. Further, increased resilience reduced the strength of the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors but not alcohol misuse. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, higher education students are likely to benefit from sleep education and resilience training, especially during stressful events.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; college; food intake; health behaviors; mental health; nutrition; pandemic; substance use; university students
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