THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ADHERENCE TO LOW CARBOHYDRATE DIET AND PERCEIVED STRESS SCORE AMONG NURSES

Background and Aim: Previous studies have found positive associations between stress and irregular dietary patterns. Subjects suffering from stress are both more likely to have high energy intake and to consume high-fat and -sugar foods. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherences to low carbohydrate diet (LCD) with perceived stress score (PSS) among nurses at Tehran University.Methods: 270 nurses working in hospitals under the supervision of Tehran University of Medical Science were randomly selected in a cross-sectional study. General information questionnaires were completed. A 3-day dietary recall was used to evaluate food consumption and adherence to low carbohydrate diet. A 10-item PSS questionnaire evaluated perceived general stress. Serum levels of cobalamin, folic acid, CRP, as well as fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profiles and anthropometric measurements were also evaluated.Results: The mean age of participants was 35.01±6.52 years. The results indicated that there are significant differences of weight and hip ratio between people with high and moderate carbohydrate intake (low and moderate adherence to LCD) (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). In the linear regression analysis, significant negative correlation between stress score and LCD adherence was found (Beta=-0.160, P=0.014, 95%CI=(-1.811_-0.202)).Conclusion: The average stress score among nurses with high LCD adherence was lower, while higher carbohydrate intake (low adherence) was seen in stressed subjects.

Keywords:

dietary intake , LCD intake , perceived stress scores , nursing