Stress has been associated with poor eating behavior and diet quality. Yet, the relationship between nutrient and food intake and perceived stress in Korean female adults has not been validated. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between nutrient and food intake and perceived stress in Korean female adults. This is a cross-sectional study based on the 2014-2015 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data. This study investigated 2,010 female adults age 19~64. In this study, according to subjects' perceived stress, we classified subjects into very low-stress recognition group (VLSRG) (n=211), low-stress recognition group (VSRG) (n=1,223), high-stress recognition group (HSRG) (n=488) and very high-stress recognition group (VHSRG) (n=88). Daily nutrients and food group intake, food groups consumed (Dietary Diversity Score, DDS) were analyzed using data from the 24-recall method. The VHSRG had a larger proportion of subjects that were younger (p<0.0001), single (p<0.0001) and smokers (p<0.0001) compared to the VLSRG. Energy and food intake did not differ between the four groups. Percentage of subjects with protein (p=0.0322), vitamin A (p=0.0364) and vitamin C (p=0.0115) intake lower than the EAR (estimated average requirement) in the VHSRG were significantly lowest in the four groups. Also, food intake percentage from fruits and seaweed groups in the VHSRG were lower than other groups (p=0.0034, p=0.0015). DDS in the VHSRG (3.87) was significantly lowest in the four groups (p=0.0022). Results suggest that perceived stress in Korean female adults may by significant to consider in nutritional education programs.

• 배윤정(신한대학교 식품조리과학부) | Yun-Jung Bae Corresponding author