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Study design

Researchers assessed 230 college students using the CANTAB computerized cognitive battery, a dietary intake tool and surveys of perceived stress and food-security status. The sample’s mean age was 22.2 years; 31% reported food insecurity and 84% moderate-to-high stress.

Findings

Higher stress was associated with lower Cambridge Gambling Task (decision-making) and Rapid Visual Processing scores. Lower food security was associated with longer decision time on the Delayed Match to Sample task and lower Rapid Visual Processing scores.

Limits and disclosures

The study was cross-sectional and data collection occurred online in 2021, so it cannot establish direction or causality. Dietary intake was estimated rather than directly measured. Findings from this student sample should not be generalized to all adults or treated as an intervention effect.

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Sources

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