Stress eating: an online survey of eating behaviours, comfort foods, and healthy food substitutes in German adults

BMC Public Health

Sophie Laura Holzmann¹  Christina Holzapfel¹  Kathrin Gemesi¹  Hans Hauner²  Martin Lurz³  Helmut Krcmar³  Markus Böhm⁴  Kurt Gedrich⁵  Birgit Kaiser⁵  Georg Groh⁶  Monika Wintergerst⁶ 

[1] Institute for Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, 80992, Munich, Germany;Institute for Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, 80992, Munich, Germany;Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany;Krcmar Lab, Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany;Krcmar Lab, Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany;Department of Informatics, University of Applied Sciences Landshut, Landshut, Germany;Research Group Public Health Nutrition, ZIEL – Institute for Food & Health, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany;Research Group Social Computing, Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany;

关键词: Stress;    Nutrition;    Chocolate;    Coffee;    Obesity;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-022-12787-9

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn many people, stress is associated with changes in eating behaviour. Food products consumed during stress (comfort foods) are often unhealthy. It is rather unknown what comfort foods are consumed in Germany and what healthier food products are considered as alternatives to support stress-eaters in making healthier food choices.MethodsThis online survey was conducted in spring 2021 throughout Germany. Participants were digitally recruited by newsletters, homepages, social media, and mailing lists. The survey included a standardized questionnaire with items concerning e.g. sociodemography, stress, and nutrition. Comfort foods were pre-selected through literature search and food substitutes were defined and discussed by experts. Analyses examined comfort food consumption and substitute preferences dependent on sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and being a self-identified stress-eater. The statistical analysis was performed using R.ResultsSurvey participants were mostly female (80.6%, 994/1234), had a mean age of 31.4 ± 12.8 years and a mean BMI of 23.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2. Participants stated, that the two favourite comfort foods were chocolate (consumed often/very often by 48.3%, 596/1234) and coffee (consumed often/very often by 45.9%, 566/1234). Regarding food substitutes, the most frequently named alternative food for chocolate and cookies was fresh fruits (for chocolate: 74.4%, 815/1096, for cookies: 62.6%, 565/902). Tea without added sugar (64.4%, 541/840) was the preferred substitute for coffee. Almost 50% of participants (48.1%, 594/1234) identified themselves as stress-eaters, of which 68.9% (408/592) stated to eat (very) often more than usual in subjective stress situations.ConclusionsThe results from this work suggest that specific comfort foods and substitutes are preferred by the participants in stressful situations. This knowledge about food choices and substitutes should be investigated in further studies to improve eating behaviour in stressful situations.Trial registrationThe survey was registered in the German Register of Clinical Studies (Registration number: DRKS00023984).

【 授权许可】

CC BY