Determination of Salivary Cortisol Levels and Nutrition, Smoking and Physical Activity Status of University Students during the Exam Period

Authors : Tuğçe Orkun Erkılıç, Bülent Bayraktar, Ali Ozan Erkılıç, Gülbahar Böyük Özcan

Pages : 594-604

Doi:10.31020/mutftd.1508807

View : 68 | Download : 105

Publication Date : 2024-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the salivary cortisol levels and nutrition, smoking and physical activity status of university students during the exam period. Method: This study was conducted at Bayburt University Faculty of Health Sciences during the 2023-2024 final exam period. A questionnaire determined the demographic characteristics, dietary and physical activity behaviors, while anthropometric measurements were taken and nutritional status was evaluated. ELISA analyzed the cortisol hormone levels in saliva samples taken before and after the final exam. Results: The study was conducted on 120 volunteer students between the ages of 18-25 who had no clinical health problems. In the study, a significant difference was found between the students\' salivary cortisol levels before and after the exam (p 0.05). Conclusion: One of the important stress factors for students is the exam period. It is important to examine the effects on nutrition, physical activity and smoking during this period. Cortisol levels are an important marker for such studies and are thought to contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness of stress prevention strategies.
Keywords : Beslenme Davranışı, Fiziksel Aktivite, Sigara Kullanımı, Kortizol, Hormon