Stress Level to Dietary Habits among Adolescent in Indonesia during COVID 19 Outbreak: A Nationwide Survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To suppress the COVID-19 transmissions, almost all activities related to physical and social activities between individuals are restricted. Activity restrictions such as lockdowns or physical-social distancing can trigger an elevation in stress. AIM: This study aimed to determine the correlation between stress levels and food habits among adolescents in Indonesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire involving 5924 adolescents in all regions in Indonesia using the snowball sampling technique. RESULTS: The survey showed that most adolescents experienced high stress (55.6%). During the COVID-19 outbreak, they seemed rarely consumed or had an intake frequency of fewer than 3 times a day on carbohydrates (89.1%), animal protein (87.5%), vegetable protein (88.9%), vegetables (84.8%), fruit (90.6%), and snacks (86.3%). Statistically, their stress level did not significantly correlate to the consumption of those carbohydrates, animal protein, vegetable protein, vegetables, and fruit (p > 0.05), except for snacks (p < 0.002) at α = 0.05. Thus, the high-stress level was 1.267 times more at risk of snacking habit more often (more than 3 times a day) among adolescents in Indonesia during the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSION: Stress level did not significantly correlate to the consumption of those carbohydrates, animal protein, vegetable protein, vegetables, and fruit. However, stress levels did not significantly correlate to snacks consumption.