Higher academic stress is longitudinally associated with less favorable eating-related patterns, nutritional and somatic indicators, higher depressive symptoms, and altered cortisol dynamics in university students.
This study protocol hypothesizes that within-semester academic stress in university students is associated with adverse changes in eating patterns, nutritional status, somatic health, depressive symptoms, and stress-related physiological markers (lower cortisol awakening response, higher salivary alpha-amylase). The study uses a longitudinal, observational design with repeated measures across three assessment cycles in a convenience sample of undergraduate students.
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Higher academic stress is longitudinally associated with less favorable eating-related patterns, nutritional and somatic indicators, higher depressive symptoms, and altered cortisol dynamics in university students. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Higher academic stress is longitudinally associated with less favorable eating-related patterns, nutritional and somatic indicators, higher depressive symptoms, and altered cortisol dynamics in university students.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Undergraduate students (2nd to 4th year) enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Concepción, Chile.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Longitudinal associations of academic stress with eating related patterns, nutrition, somatic indicators, and depressive symptoms in university students: A study protocol. (PloS one, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Academic stress activates the HPA-axis and sympathetic nervous system
- ▸This leads to altered cortisol dynamics (lower CAR, lower AUCi, higher AUCg) and higher salivary alpha-amylase
- ▸Chronic stress influences eating behaviors and nutritional patterns
- ▸Result: Increased depressive symptoms and adverse somatic indicators
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Undergraduate students (2nd to 4th year) enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Concepción, Chile
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Observational design cannot establish causality, only associations
- ▸Convenience sample from a single faculty may limit generalizability
- ▸Feasibility-based sample size may reduce statistical power
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main hypothesis of this study?▼
The study hypothesizes that higher academic stress is longitudinally associated with less favorable eating patterns, poorer nutritional and somatic health, higher depressive symptoms, and altered cortisol dynamics (lower CAR, lower AUCi, higher AUCg) and higher salivary alpha-amylase.
How will academic stress be measured?▼
Academic stress will be assessed using standardized questionnaires administered via electronic surveys (REDCap), along with perceived stress measures.
What biological samples are collected?▼
Saliva samples are collected twice per week during each assessment cycle to measure cortisol dynamics and salivary alpha-amylase. Peripheral blood samples are taken at baseline and end of semester for lipid profile, glucose, albumin, globulin, and total proteins.
Is this study an intervention or observational?▼
This is a longitudinal, observational, nonexperimental study. No intervention is tested; it examines natural associations over an academic semester.
References
- 1.Rojas-Cárdenas P, Nazar G, Castillo-Navarrete JL. “Longitudinal associations of academic stress with eating related patterns, nutrition, somatic indicators, and depressive symptoms in university students: A study protocol..” PloS one, 2026. PMID: 42412896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352779