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Financial and Other Life Stressors, Psychological Distress, and Food and Beverage Consumption among Students Attending a Large California State University during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Paulina Lin

    (Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, P.O. Box 951722, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA)

  • Kathryn Hillstrom

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Science, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Kimberly Gottesman

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Science, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA)

  • Yuane Jia

    (School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, 65 Bergen St., Newark, NJ 07101, USA)

  • Tony Kuo

    (Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, P.O. Box 951722, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
    Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10880 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
    Population Health Program, UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, 10833 Le Conte Ave., BE-144 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA)

  • Brenda Robles

    (Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics, and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Carrer de la Universitat de Girona 10, Campus de Montilivi, 17003 Girona, Spain)

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic abruptly disrupted the daily lives and health of college students across the United States. This study investigated several stressors (e.g., financial strain/uncertainty), psychological distress, and dietary behaviors among college students attending a large state university during the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to students from the California State University, Los Angeles between April and May 2021 (final analytic sample n = 736). Differences in gender and race/ethnicity were examined using chi-square, t -test, and one-way ANOVA tests. Paired t-tests were performed to compare variables before and during the pandemic. Negative binomial regression models examined the associations between various stressors, psychological distress, and three key dietary outcomes. Descriptive results showed that the consumption of fruits and vegetables, fast food, and sugary beverages, along with psychological distress, all increased during the pandemic. Significant differences in fruit and vegetable and fast food consumption by gender and race/ethnicity were also observed. In the regression models, several stressors, including financial strain and psychological distress, were associated with unfavorable food and beverage consumption, thereby suggesting that college students may need more support in mitigating these stressors so they do not manifest as poor dietary behaviors. Poor diet quality is associated with poor physical health outcomes such as premature development of type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Lin & Kathryn Hillstrom & Kimberly Gottesman & Yuane Jia & Tony Kuo & Brenda Robles, 2023. "Financial and Other Life Stressors, Psychological Distress, and Food and Beverage Consumption among Students Attending a Large California State University during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3668-:d:1073290
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brenda Robles & Tony Kuo & Courtney S. Thomas Tobin, 2021. "What Are the Relationships between Psychosocial Community Characteristics and Dietary Behaviors in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Urban Population in Los Angeles County?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Chirikov, Igor & Soria, Krista M & Horgos, Bonnie & Jones-White, Daniel, 2020. "Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic," University of California at Berkeley, Center for Studies in Higher Education qt80k5d5hw, Center for Studies in Higher Education, UC Berkeley.
    3. Luisa Blanco & Vanessa Cruz & Deja Frederick & Susie Herrera, 2022. "Financial Stress Among Latino Adults in California During COVID-19," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 134-148, June.
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