Our first primary research objective is to investigate if and how students are changing their diet toward a more plant-based diet. Our second primary objective is to assess changes in stress by using subjective methods (questionnaires) and a…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
stress, despressie en voedingsstatus
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main endpoints are changes in dietary habits towards a plant-based diet and
changes in stress levels. Diet changes will be expressed as changes in defined
meat-based diet categories (questionnaire) and as changes in the consumption of
plant protein as a percentage of total protein (FFQ). Stress levels will be
assessed with two questionnaires and one biomarker (hair cortisol). Urinary
serotonin concentrations will be used as a potential marker for depression and
compared to scores on the validated HADS questionnaire for depression and
anxiety.
Secondary outcome
To assess the nutritional impact of dietary changes, nutritional status over
time will be measured crudely as Hb from a capillary (finger) blood sample in
all participants and more in-depth (vitamins B6, B12, D, and folic acid) for
those who provide a venous blood sample. In the fecal sample at baseline and 6
months, pH as a marker of fermentation will be measured. To adjust for
confounding variables, additional lifestyle questionnaires and anthropometry
will be used. Measurements at 3 and 9 months will be used to study timing of
changes.
Background summary
Student life is an important phase in making dietary and lifestyle choices.
Based on concerns about animal welfare and climate change, some students decide
to become vegetarian or vegan. This may be especially true for students in
Wageningen, which holds the title of most sustainable university in the world.
Reducing meat and dairy intake may promote health but may also result in
dietary deficiencies or being underweight. Together with social pressure to
adopt a more plant-based lifestyle, this could increase the risk of mental
stress in their first year at university. Therefore, we will assess dietary
changes and stress and depression in first-year bachelor students and explore
potential associations for future observational studies.
Study objective
Our first primary research objective is to investigate if and how students are
changing their diet toward a more plant-based diet. Our second primary
objective is to assess changes in stress by using subjective methods
(questionnaires) and a biomarker (hair cortisol concentrations). Our secondary
objective is to investigate changes in nutritional status, depression and
anxiety using a questionnaire, and urinary serotonin as a potential biomarker
for depression, and to explore associations between diet and stress and
depression outcomes. To adjust for confounders, other lifestyle factors
including physical activity and sleep will be assessed.
Study design
We will perform a prospective cohort study with baseline data at recruitment
and repeated follow-up data at 3, 6, and 9 months. At each time point,
participants fill out online questionnaires and visit the Human Nutrition
Research Unit (HNRU) for anthropometry, a finger prick, hand grip measurement
and a hair sample. In addition, at baseline and 6 months, participants will be
asked to bring urine and feces samples (collected at home). Optionally,
participants can give an additional (non-fasting) venous blood sample at their
baseline and 6 month-visit for a NutriProfiel test.
Study burden and risks
Subjects will be invited to the Human Nutrition Research Unit four times in one
year (every three months) for anthropometry, a finger prick blood test, the
collection of a hair sample and an optional venous blood sample (~30 min per
visit). Filling out online diet and lifestyle questionnaires will take about
two hours and will be repeated four times in one year. Urine and fecal samples
will be collected at home at baseline and at 6 months. There are only minor
risks for the participants, relating to the finger prick and (optional) blood
withdrawals. Subjects will receive a financial compensation of ¤85 per year and
¤95 if they choose for the extra venous blood sample. To increase motivation
and response, students will be paid per time point. As a further incentive,
they will receive their personal diet and lab data.
Stippeneng 4
Wageningen 6708 WE
NL
Stippeneng 4
Wageningen 6708 WE
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
• First-time enrolled in a bachelor study at Wageningen University
• Aged 16 years or older during the AID
• Dutch-speaking
Exclusion criteria
None
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL84821.091.23 |