Cross- sectional analysis of stress and Dietary pattern among adults

Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess prevalence of Stress in young adults and to ascertain the
relation with socio-demographic characteristics and dietary habits.Cross-sectional survey was
conducted in 2024-2025 in (Gurugram)India. The analytic sample included (n=1000) young adults
(52.6% male and 47.4% female) aged 18-35 years. The Cohen Perceived stress scale (PSS) was used
to measure the individual depressive state. Dietary habits assessed using a self-constructed

questionnaire validated through expert reviews. The relation between stress, dietary habits and socio-
demographic variables were studied using Karl Pearson correlation, ANOVA and student t test.A

significant number of the participating young adults were male (52.6%), with the majority aged
between 26-30 years (43.2%). majority of participants resided in nuclear families (77.4%), and the
highest representation was in the high-income category (39.2%). Most participants were married
(59.4%). Among them, 34.4% had a BMI that categorized them as overweight, with a higher
incidence in male participants (18.2%) compared to female participants (16.8%). The majority of
participants reported moderate stress levels (49.8%). The results comparing stress and dietary habits
scores with sociodemographic factors indicated that males and those in the high-income group aged
31-35 were under significant stress. Women tended to adopt healthier dietary patterns, while the 26-30
age group made healthier food choices, and middle-income individuals showed better dietary patterns.
Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between poor dietary choices and stress
among young working adults (r=-0.354, p < 0.001). The majority of young adults were overweight
with moderate stress and had average dietary habits. stress was associated with poorer dietary habits
among young adults.