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Negative affective stress reactivity: The dampening effect of snacking
Author(s) -
Wouters Saskia,
Jacobs Nele,
Duif Mira,
Lechner Lilian,
Thewissen Viviane
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
stress and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1532-2998
pISSN - 1532-3005
DOI - 10.1002/smi.2788
Subject(s) - snacking , moderation , psychology , reactivity (psychology) , affect (linguistics) , experience sampling method , multilevel model , stress (linguistics) , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , endocrinology , obesity , medicine , social psychology , linguistics , philosophy , alternative medicine , communication , pathology , machine learning , computer science
Abstract The present study sets out to further elucidate the complex relationship between daily hassles, snacking, and negative affect (NA). The aim of the present study was to examine whether or not moment‐to‐moment energy intake from snacks moderates the association between momentary stress and NA. And, if so, can this moderating effect be replicated by using the amount of macronutrient intake (i.e., carbohydrates, fat, and protein) as moderator on the association between momentary stress and NA? Adults ( N = 269), aged 20–50 years, participated in this study. Stress, NA, and snack intake were assessed 10 times a day for 7 consecutive days in daily life with an experience sampling smartphone application. Multilevel regression analyses were performed to assess the hypothesized associations. Our study revealed a dampening effect of snacking on negative affective stress reactivity. However, this dampening effect could not be replicated by the amount of macronutrient intake from snacks. On the contrary, the amount of carbohydrates has an enhancing effect on negative affective stress reactivity. In the end, our study suggests that the critical question is which mechanisms are decisive in the dampening role of snacking on stress reactivity. A multidisciplinary approach may provide a full perspective.