Evaluation of the effect of test anxiety on nutritional status and gastrointestinal symptoms in preparation for university examination

Test anxiety is the feeling of anxiety, worry and discomfort that students feel during an exam. Since exam results affect the future of individuals in our country as in many countries, gastrointestinal symptoms may increase and nutritional status may be affected when there is intense test anxiety. This study was conducted with 104 (45 female, 59 male) senior high school students who agreed to participate in the study in private and public schools in Ankara 7 months before the exam (December 2022) and 1 month before the exam (May 2023) to evaluate the effect of test anxiety on nutritional status and gastrointestinal symptoms of students preparing for the university exam. The questionnaire including health status, nutritional status, anthropometric measurements [height (cm), body weight (kg)], information on test anxiety, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ), Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and Food Consumption Frequency Record Form was administered to the students by face-to-face interview technique 7 months before and 1 month before the university exam. Accordingly, it was found that the mean BMI-Z score increased in the second assessment in both genders (female students: 1st assessment -0.05±1.12, 2nd assessment 0.04±1.24, male students: 1st assessment 0.57±1.0, 2nd assessment 0.73±1.08). A statistically significant relationship was found between evaluation periods and body weight of female students (p<0.05) and body weight, height and BMI values of male students (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the evaluation periods and the number of main and snack meals, skipping meals, daily water intake, protein, vegetable protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C, iron, calcium, vitamin B6, zinc intake (p<0.05). The majority of the students (48.1% in the first evaluation, 43.3% in the second evaluation) belonged to the minimally active group. It was found that the frequency of chocolate, biscuit/wafer and chips consumption increased while students were studying (p<0.05). The total score of the affective, delusions and test anxiety inventory of the students increased as a result of the measurement 1 month before the exam (p<0.05). In the first evaluation, a weak positive correlation was found between the total score of the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale and affective (r=0.22), delusion (r=0.25) and test anxiety inventory total score (r=0.24) (p<0.05). In the second evaluation, a positive moderate strong correlation was found between gastrointestinal symptom rating scale total score and affective (r=0.32), delusional (r=0.34) and test anxiety inventory total score (r=0.34) (p<0.05). According to the results of this study, it was found that gastrointestinal symptoms increased as students' test anxiety increased during the university preparation process. It should not be ignored that eating habits may be related to test anxiety, especially in senior high school students.