Title:

Relationship between perceived stress and fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake in college students.

Background: Perceived stress may increase among young adults transitioning to higher education. Research shows that negative changes in dietary habits are also seen with this transition, however, the research on the relationship between the two is limited. Objectives: To determine the relationship between fruit, vegetable, and fiber intake and perceived stress scores in college students, 18-24 years. Study Design, Setting, Participants: Data were collected between Fall 2012 and Spring 2023 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS), an ongoing cross-sectional study done at a midsize, public, northeastern university. After excluding students with missing data, the sample included 5186 participants (66.9% female). Measurable Outcome/Analysis: Participants recorded their food intake over 3 days; average daily intake of fruits (cups/day), vegetables (cups/day), and fiber (g/day) was evaluated via online nutrient analysis (Diet and Wellness Plus). Perceived Stress Score (PSS) (0-40) was determined via a 10-item questionnaire of a larger online survey. Chi-square and ANOVA analyses were used to assess differences between males and females; partial correlation assessed the relationship between PSS and fruit, vegetable, and fiber intakes while controlling for gender and age. Results: Majority of participants were white (91.0% M, 94.6% F) and lived in a college-affiliated dorm (63.1% M, 72.9% F). Mean(SD) PSS for males and females were 14.7(6.5) and 17.1(6.5), respectively, p<.001. Mean(SD) fruit and vegetable intake (cups/day) for males and females was 2.96(1.9) and 2.90(1.7), respectively, p=.216. Mean(SD) fiber intake (g/day) for males and females was 21.4(10.6) and 19.3(8.6), respectively, p<.001. When PSS were compared to fruit/vegetable and fiber intake, there was a negative, weak correlation between the two (r=-.08, -.077, respectively, p<.001). This indicates that lower fruit, vegetable, and fiber intakes correlate to higher PSS. However, the correlation between these variables is not strong. Conclusion: While findings suggest a negative relationship between fruit/vegetable and fiber intake with PSS, the magnitude of the relationship was small. Therefore, further research is needed to elevate the impact of this relationship. Funding: Funded by New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Project 1010738, and the state of New Hampshire.

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