Perceived stress negatively affects diet quality and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 lockdown period, in Greece

Abstract

Purpose

The pandemic of COVID-19 led to considerable challenges with respect to people's health, dietary behavior and satisfaction with life. This study aims to investigate perceived stress levels, in relation to diet quality and life satisfaction in Greek adults, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study which took place in Greece in the course of the strict lockdown period, in the third COVID-19 wave. A sample of 2,029 adults aged 18 years and above participated in an online survey. The questionnaire consisted of questions on sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Mediterranean Diet Assessment Tool were also used.

Findings

Linear regression has shown that women (p < 0.0001), younger individuals (p < 0.0001), obese individuals (p = 0.047), those with lower levels of satisfaction with life (p < 0.0001) and lower adherence to Mediterranean diet (p = 0.0001) were positively associated with higher levels of stress.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Greece aiming at investigating concurrently, levels of perceived stress, with respect to levels of satisfaction with life and diet quality in adults, during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citation

Costarelli, V. and Michou, M. (2023), "Perceived stress negatively affects diet quality and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 lockdown period, in Greece", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 4, pp. 769-780. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-12-2022-0403