Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Η Επιστήμη του Στρές και η Προαγωγή της ΥγείαςLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Kalogiratou Despina
Supervisors info:
Χριστίνα Δαρβίρη, Επισκ. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Γεώργιος Χρούσος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Φλώρα Μπακοπούλου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Εφαρμογή προγράμματος διαχείρισης του στρες και προαγωγής της υγείας σε μαθητές πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης
Translated title:
Applying a stress management and health promotion program to primary school pupils
Summary:
Background Emotional eating is the tendency to regulate negative emotions (such as stress, depression and anxiety) through increased or unhealthy food intake. Emotion management, such as stress management could be an appropriate approach to prevent or control harmful eating behavior among children. Aim of the present study is to tests the effects of Pythagorean Self Awareness, a novel 8-week cognitive stress management program based in cognitive reconstruction, in a sample of primary school attendants.
Material and methods The present study is a controlled pragmatic trial. The eligibility criterion was being a 4th grade active pupil. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (total=23) or the control group (total=22). At the beginning and the end of the program, students were asked to fill out specific self-referral questionnaires to investigate their eating habits and their psychological condition. Through a specially designed questionnaire, pupils' attitudes towards quality of life were captured. In addition, demographic data and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistic methods were used for the statistical analysis.
Results At the end of program pupils in the intervention group experienced statistically significant reduction in stress (p<0.001), anxiety (trait p=0.019, state p=0.006), guilt (p<0.001) and emotional eating (p<0.001) and increase in Mediterranean diet quality (p=0.001) and pride (p<0.001). In addition, a statistically significant increase was observed for satisfaction (p=0.020), seeking support (p=0.014), aerobic exercise (p=0.019), meal timing (p=0.002), sleep quality (p<0.001) and reduction in go to bed time (p=0.020). No statistically significant difference between the two groups was recorded regarding depression symptoms (p=0.551) and shame (p=0.120).
Conclusions Pythagorean Self Awareness had positive effects on the emotional eating, psychological state and the lifestyle of a sample of primary school attendants.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Stress, Emotional eating, Primary school, Stress management, Pythagorean Self Awareness