Stressful Life Events Predict Increased Consumption of Sweets in Adolescence: Longitudinal Analysis of ELSPAC Prospective Cohort

• In Event: 2184 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 02. Obesity, Body Weight, and Diet

Abstract

Purpose: Stressful life events (SLE) have been associated with poor health behaviors, but their role in adolescent diet is not well understood. We examine longitudinally the association between SLE and consumption of salty snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages among a cohort of Czech adolescents.
Methods: This study utilizes nested fixed effects models to examine dietary changes between 11 and 15 years of age. Data were obtained from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood, the Czech Republic, collected in 2003 and 2007. Dietary quality is measured as the weekly frequency of consumption of salty snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages. SLE are measured with a scale that accounts both for the number of stressful events and their perceived impact. Additionally, we examine whether psychological, familial, and economic resources account for the relationship between SLE and diet.
Results: Cross-sectionally, increases in SLE are linked to more frequent consumption of salty snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Only the consumption of sweets, however, increases significantly with SLE in the longitudinal, fixed effects models. Additionally, psychological, familial, and economic factors are not associated with diet in the longitudinal models.
Conclusions: Adolescence is a vulnerable period of increased risk for poor dietary choices. SLE among Czech adolescents lead to an increased consumption of sweets over time. These findings highlight the need for interventions that help adolescents cope with stress without resorting to maladaptive health behaviors.

Authors

• Elizabeth Helene Baker, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Irena Stepanikova, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Gabriela Oates, University of Alabama-Birmingham

• Julie Bienertová Vasku, Masaryk University

• Jana Klánová, Masaryk University

• Jana Svancara, Masaryk University