Survey Report

Exam Week Affecting Student Diets Food Trends 2

Problems & Concerns

● During exam week, we believe students have irregular diets because they

are more focused on studying rather than focusing on their health

especially by consuming more caffeine and energy drinks during this time

● Unhealthy and irregular diets can lead to poor focus, fatigue, increased

stress level, and lack of motivation and energy

Who this may concern:

● Students ● Parents of students ● University dining services

Motives:

● Examination week puts a large amount of stress on college students, negatively impacting their diet.

● Stress is associated with changes in dietary habits. ● Abrupt changes in students schedules due to intense studying affects their

normal eating schedule. ● Proper nutrition leads to increased cognitive function, so a poor diet could

negatively impact test scores. ● Many students abuse caffeine products to stay awake during long study

sessions.

Literature Review

Eating a poor quality diet is associated with increased stress during examinations ( The week, PTI)

- The purpose of this study was to determine if eating a poor quality diet, is associated with increased stress during university examinations.

- The results are based on an anonymous online survey of 232 students (aged 19-22 years) - Findings confirmed and suggested that students have difficulties eating healthy and find themselves

adopting bad eating habits, which over a few weeks can considerably affect your overall health and be difficult to change.

- Changes in dietary were modified by psychosocial factors such as eating behaviour, food choice motive, taste preference, impulsivity, coping strategies, sedentary behaviour, and social support.

Hypothesis

● Energy drink(+)

● Hours of sleep(-)

● Number of meals(-)

● Number of exams(+)

There are some variables affect amount of stress level.

● Gender ○ Female(+) ○ Male(-)

● Dean’s list(+)

● Scholarship requirements(+)

● Athletics/club sports(-)

Questions:

● How often do you drink energy drinks? ● How many energy drinks do you consume during an examination

week? ● Do you feel like you drink more or less energy drinks since classes have

been online? ● Would you agree that your diet is different during exam week

compared to your regular diet?

Research Design & Results

Design decisions: ● Online survey; obtain primary data from college students.

○ Using instagram, twitter and email platforms.

Population: ● UD students

Possible Survey Question Ideas: How many hours do you sleep during exams week? How many meals do you eat during exams week?

Sources

● Gender and Stress. www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2010/gender-stress. ● Pti. “Are You Stressed during Exams? Giving up Junk Food Might Help.” The Week, The Week, 1

May 2019, www.theweek.in/news/health/2019/05/01/Are-you-stressed-during-exams-Giving-up-junk-foo d-might-help.html.

● https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/health-academic-achievement. pdf