The Relatıonshıp Between Mood, Lıfe Satısfactıon and Emotıonal Appetıte: A Study on Unıversıty Students

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between emotional appetite and life satisfaction of depression, anxiety, and stress of university students Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was based on volunteerism and was conducted on a total of 1006 undergraduate students, 243 male and 763 female, studying at Üsküdar University in the 2020-2021 academic year. Students were online surveyed through questions about the sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional status of the students and the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ), Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS and version 26. Results: 75.8% of the students participating in the study were female and 24.2% were male. The mean age of the students is 19.20±1.12 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) is 22.04±3.85 kg/m2. “Advanced” and “very advanced” depression prevalence was 91.3%, anxiety prevalence was 61.5% and stress prevalence was 61.8%. The average score of the participants on the Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) was 19.16±7.60, and their life satisfaction was moderate. Eating habits of students show similarity in positive or negative emotions and situations according to their emotional appetite. As life satisfaction score increases, a decrease was found in the scores of “Depression”, “Anxiety” and “Stress” and “DASS Total” (p<0.05). As the life satisfaction score increased, there was an increase in the "EMAQ Positive " score (p>0.05) and "EMAQ Negative" score (p<0.05). As the “Depression” score increased, the “EMAQ Positive” score increased (p>0.05) and the “EMAQ Negative” score decreased (p<0.05). As the “DASS Total” score increased, there was a decrease in the “EMAQ Positive” score (p>0.05) and the “EMAQ Negative” score (p<0.05). As the "EMAQ Positive" score increased, the "EMAQ Negative" score increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The change in the emotional moods of university students affects their life satisfaction and emotional appetite. In negative moods, life satisfaction and emotional appetite decrease.