Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: April | Volume: 8 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 166-174
Occurrence of Stress Related Nutrition and Health Issues among Women in Few Selected Professions - A Comparative Study
Anees Fathima Thabassum. Z1, Khyrunnisa Begum2
1Faculty, Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Mysore.
2Rtd. Professor, Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, India
Corresponding Author: Anees Fathima Thabassum. Z
ABSTRACT
Employment per se, working conditions and household responsibilities complicate role conflict leading to stress that in turn affect nutrition and health status of women. This study aims to assess health and nutritional status of employed women in relation to stress levels. 400 women (25-40yrs) employed in teaching (32%), healthcare (24%) and clerical (44%) were participants. Assessment for stress, General health quality (GHQ) and menstrual health was obtained using standardized questionnaires; heights and weights were also recorded. Study revealed that Stress (p=0.004), anxiety and depression (p<0.0001) were significantly higher among all women. GHQ scores were poor for women in teaching professionals (8.30±2.68). Pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) and other health related distresses occurred at higher percentages among healthcare professionals, while those employed in clerical sectors reported Irregular periods, short term heavy bleeding and dysmenorrhea. According to BMI, teachers (54%) were more obese compared to the others. Stress exhibited extremely significant association with GHQ, general health distress, PMS, gynecological issues and menstrual pain. Job-related issues (p=0.042) exhibited a positive correlation with stress. It is obvious that stress is an outcome of conflicts arising due to increased demands and in turn immensely affects women’s health both physical and mental health.
Key words: stress, employment, General Health Quality, pre-menstrual symptoms, job-related issues.