The increased of the caloric intake during stress periods in medical students

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity and the presence of stress in members of modern society have increased in Mexico; it seems that there are mechanisms that establish a relation between both aspects. Aim. To inform students about the risk involved to increase their intake of food with higher caloric valor during periods when they are under stress for avoid this uncontrolled intake that in the future could damage their organism. Material and methods: To prove the causal relation between stress and the increase consume of food with higher caloric valor it’s been realized an observational, cross-sectional study with case-control analysis in college students from the Autonomous University of Hidalgo State who are enrolled in first through fourth semester in the academic area of medicine. Results: According to the criteria to be evaluated it was found that the 27% of the 54 interviewed students report an increase in their food intake during periods of stress. Conclusion: The presence of stress in college students increased appetite, this may be considered in the future as one of the origins of obesity.