Young age is an important stage in the formation of stable lifestyle habits including eating habits, and studying at a university is associated with a high level of psycho-emotional stress and contributes to the more frequent formation of anxiety and depression.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the role of anxiety and depression in the formation of dietary preferences among students.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Anonymous survey of 3634 students of Omsk State Medical University was carried out by filling out the online questionnaire forms: WHO CINDI program questionnaire, an abbreviated multifactorial questionnaire for personality research (mini-cartoon, SMIL), GSRS.
RESULTS
Students with signs of anxiety eat 2—3 times a day, often overeat and cannot eat at the same time. When choosing food they are guided by their desires; addicted to fatty and salty foods. If there were additional funds for the purchase of products, they would spend them on confectionery first. They eat significantly few vegetables and fruits — on average 309.70 [100.83; 437.50] g per day. Students with manifestations of depression have limited time to eat they eat critically little vegetables and fruits — on average 218.47 [53.57; 278.57] g per day, drink a lot of coffee; addicted to salty and sweet foods. The main factor that determines the choice of food products is the possibilities of the family budget. Given the additional funds, they would be more willing to spend it on alcohol. Both anxiety and depression are associated with a high risk of gastrointestinal symptoms.
CONCLUSION
The results obtained substantiate the need for screening of psychological disorders among young people in connection with the long-term consequences of these pathologies for health.