Stress-induced food intake: The effect of mental health-related psychological distress on food intake in the context of acute stress. What determines an individual’s vulnerability to consume more food in the context of stress?

Abstract

Stress is argued to influence an individual’s food intake and, indirectly, their physical health in negative ways. This stress-induced eating behavior will most likely lead to adverse physical health effects like obesity. Specifically, this research aimed to examine whether mental health-related psychological distress from anxiety and depression positively influences an individual’s food intake moderated by education. To test this, 65 participants completed a self-reported questionnaire called the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess their mental health and were exposed to an acute stressor. Afterward, their food intake was assessed. Mental health-related psychological distress was found to have a no significant effect on food intake after experiencing acute stress. Additionally, the interaction between mental health-related psychological distress and education was also non-significantly related to food intake under the experience of acute stress. These results suggest that more extensive research is needed on stress-induced eating behavior since prior literature shows compelling evidence of significant relationships between stress and food intake. By addressing a comprehensive range of influential stressors in different experimental settings, possible significant associations between stress and food intake may be revealed. Nevertheless, more research on the negative effects of stress-induced eating can prevent society from corresponding adverse health effects.