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Food Therapy 1
Food Therapy
Jacqueline Montano
Florida International University
Food Therapy 2
Stress is commonly defined as a state of real or perceived challenges to an organism’s
well-being. Due to the fact that stress has and always will be inevitable, mechanisms have been
discovered to help cope with these common stresses. As for the health care industry, a goal that
has been set, is to properly educate society on how to deal with stress. The common advice of
going to exercise, reading a book, or listening to music appear to be the instant alternatives for
stress relievers, however determining the affect food may also have on those outcomes have yet
to be proven. Being that there have been so many alternatives to resort to in times of stress, it is
important to examine the perception of those who are educated upon the topics of nutrition and
stress and whether or not they believe that food can be used as another alternative for stress
relief. Not only will this information be beneficial to society itself, but it will also be useful
towards temporary or terminal patients staying within the care of medical facilities. Through this
research I will be able to analyze if food can be taken into consideration as another stress reliever
and the success it will have for patients within healthcare facilities. The data collected in the
study was through an interview with a Doctor and gave me the opportunity to gain an
understanding on their stance with this proposition and if it has potential growth within the
medical field for society’s health in the future.
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Literature Review
What is Stress?
In accordance to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one of the definitions of stress include
a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a
factor in disease causation. Stress comes from different sources—our surroundings, situations
and even our own perception or thoughts. According to the American Psychological Association
in 2014, 77% of the U.S. population regularly experienced physical symptoms caused by stress.
Of those 77%, health and poor nutrition played a major role in the causes of it all. Hence,
emotional eating, lack of nutrition, or poor dieting increased the levels of stress within the U.S.
Which is why it’s important to understand that once stress does begin to interfere with an
individual’s life, the dangers it follows is ought to be taken with precaution.
Stresses Suffered by Patients
Stress is not only caused by one’s daily activities but a person’s health also plays a factor
in its development. In 2009, there were over 3.1 million hospital discharges amongst the ages of
1-21 years, equaling 3.6 hospital discharges per 100 children, adolescents, and young adults. By
the definition of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, chronic disease is one lasting
three months or more. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by
medication, nor do they disappear on its own. Children with chronic complex conditions account
for a steadily increasing number of hospitalized pediatric patients and healthcare resource
consumption. Past studies have shown that previous experience and familiarity with medical
procedures do not reduce fear in children. As a matter of fact, a previous experience may be a
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cause of substituting a known or unknown fear. The state of the illness can cause an experience
of invasive and traumatic procedures. These factors can in turn, evoke emotional effects on
children resulting from hospitalization. Also, it is said that just over half (50.6%) of children with
a mental health condition aged 8-15 received mental health services in the previous year. In
addition to mental health increasing stress amongst pediatric patients, repeated hospitalization
before the age of 5 has been associated with maladaptive behaviors and educational problems
that can affect the child in the long run.
Stresses Suffered by Caregivers
Stress is inevitable and a normal part of life for everyone. When receiving an education,
the amount of stress that students undergo is shocking. More so for the caregivers of our society.
Completing 7 years of school, then specializing in a certain area which takes another 3-5 years,
to then working non-stop hours, sets up any person for an overload of stress. Prolonged exposure
to stress is typically the main cause of emotional exhaustion, which results in a lack of
enthusiasm for work, a sense of helplessness, failure, and fatigue. A cross-sectional study was
conducted during the period of October 1 to December 31, 2015 within three primary health care
centers and in the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska. The goal of this study
was to determine the level of stress and risk for burnout syndrome in doctors employed in health
centers and hospitals. Burnout syndrome is recognized worldwide as one of the major causes of
psychosocial problems affecting the quality of life of employees in different professions and the
most prevalent one in employees in healthcare occupations. Studies conducted in Canada and
Switzerland have also shown that doctors were highly susceptible to develop burnout syndrome.
It was also found that physicians over the age of 45 had a significantly higher level of emotional
exhaustion than their younger colleagues. As a result of the study conducted within the three
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health care facilities and university, 51.7% of the participants had high levels of stress, 52.7% of
them being family physicians and 50.6% of doctors working in hospitals.
The Power of Food
Food is a basic necessity to the success of man’s survival. The products we consume
every day provide the necessary energy to get by and accomplish our goals. However, food is
limited and not in reach for everyone. Which then leads to the question as to what foods are of
high importance and the factors society should be looking into. With the variety foods and
produce available to humans, understanding the difference between non-healthy and healthy
foods will in turn result in better health rates. Dietary plans are constantly being implemented to
live a healthier life style, however it is not only a matter of losing weight and cutting back on
junk food, it is also taking into consideration that every person is built differently and needs
different things. Being that stress plays a huge role in the daily lives of humans, food can be used
to reduce these stresses. In a past study, discovering the help of diets demonstrated a reduction in
stress amongst adults. Psychological stress can be a health threat by stimulating unhealthier
eating behaviors. Adrenal function is mostly influenced by blood sugar levels; therefore, dietary
plans are aimed to stabilize levels of sugar in the blood. Also, the discovery of emotional eating
was a result of increased stressed. Emotional eating “is using food to make yourself feel better—
eating to satisfy emotional needs, rather than to satisfy physical hunger”. Therefore, rather than
food being viewed as a health concern, food can be used as another alternative for stress relief
while using it in a healthy manner.
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Who cares?
Whether it’s dealing with cancer or an unknown disease, many patients who have to be
hospitalized for a long period of time often carry with them a mental weight from the stresses of
their condition. Most people have no control over the formation of diseases, they happen to
everyone at some point in their lives and unfortunately some are more life altering than others.
For terminal patients within hospitals, there is a sense of failure due to not living the typical
healthy life which puts a barrier on their self-esteem. For those such as cancer patients
undergoing chemo, it can take a huge toll on the patient both mentally and physically. However,
the treatment is provided in order to hopefully eliminate these life threatening diseases. By
implementing food as a stress reliever rather than it only being considered a basic necessity or
nutritional plan, both the patients and doctors themselves can benefit from the stress relieving
aspects of food. Finding an alternative towards the usage of food for patient stay can hopefully
bring a light to patients.
Gap in Research
There has been research conducted on the causes and amount of stress in patients and
medical professionals. There has also been research on the effectiveness of food. But there hasn’t
been any research on the effectiveness of food for terminal patients within a hospital
environment specifically. In addition to further research, there are ways to eat right in order to
reduce stress but not specifically on how doctors overcome these stresses through the use of
food.
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Possible Solution
It is evident that nutrition is key to one’s survival, however I intend on questioning
pediatricians, dieticians, nutritionists, and other medical experts to discover if their stresses have
affected their work performance, and if they believe food could help them as well as their
patient’s stresses. Another question I intend on asking is in regard to their patient’s stress levels.
Whether or not the patient’s stresses could be improved with more enjoyable foods and new
dietary plans. Also, I would like to ask pediatricians if they are open to participating in hands-on
activities with their patients in order for both the patient and physician to feel “stress-relieved”.
Therefore, based on the observations and opinions I receive, I can determine if food can be
considered as another “stress reliever”.
Methods
My methods for collecting data will involve interviews with medical experts who are
fully aware of the stress hospitals and treatments impose upon patients. My questions will
involve the stresses they experienced throughout their medical career and the process of medical
school. My questions will also vary based off their opinions on the situations they experienced
and what they feel can help patients in the future or present time. I will touch upon matters
regarding my research question to determine if food can be considered as another stress reliever.
My reasoning for asking about their medical school experience is to identify whether or not those
stresses have carried along over the years and into their careers. I am going to present them with
my ideas of implementing nutritional activities for the patients such as possible baking or
cooking activities and whether or not it would be possible to design their own meal plans based
of their nutritional necessities and regulations. I would also like to hear their opinions as to
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whether or not they believe this alternative can be successful in the future and the benefits it can
have on patients.
INTERVIEW:
1. Did you undergo any kind of stress during the duration of your college career and/or while attending medical school?
2. Was the workload overbearing or doable?3. Did you ever experience odd symptoms such as increased fatigue, lack of appetite, or the
feeling of depression during your time spent in school?4. What methods did you use to overcome these stresses? 5. If so, do you believe they can also work for patients undergoing stress?6. In the workplace do you feel over stressed or is it the right amount to get through your
day?7. Do you notice an increase in stress of terminal patients?8. Are stress levels among temporary and terminal patients the same?9. Do you think that the hospital environment increases stress amongst pediatric patients?10. What alternatives do you believe can help relieve pediatric patients of stress?11. On average, about how many patients do you see undergoing stress?12. Do you think that certain illnesses and diseases cause a greater increase in stress or is it
mostly caused by the environment they are in?13. Do the families of these patients cause more stress for both the patient and you as a
doctor and/or medical expert?14. Are these stresses more prominent throughout the duration of their treatments or are
outside sources the main reason why patients have an increase in stress?15. Do the stresses of patients affect their time for recovery?16. Do you find that the stress of patients in turn affects their motivation to do anything else
throughout their daily activities?17. What methods are provided within hospitals to relieve pediatric patients of stress?18. Do you think food can be used as another alternative for stress relief?19. Can hospitals implement a more appetizing diet plan for patients as opposed to the
hospital food everyone receives?20. Can the hospital make it a point where patients are able to create their own meal plans,
however it still follows the rules and regulations necessary for their health?21. Can cooking activities be implemented into the hospital environment?22. Is this an interaction/activity that can have potential success within the medical field?23. What are the possible negative and positives outcomes of this potential alternative?24. Do you think that this alternative can also go hand in hand with whatever other stress
relievers you are recommending towards your patients?25. Do you find it that food is a stress reliever for yourself?26. Do you find yourself over eating or having a lack of appetite in times of stress?27. Is there a certain meal or dessert that can always make you feel better?28. What factors should be taken into account when considering food as another stress
reliever?
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Informed Consent Form
“Food Therapy”
The following information is provided in order to help you to make an informed decision whether or not to participate. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. The purpose of this study is to examine whether food can be considered as another alternative for stress relief within the medical field, most specifically towards pediatric patients.
The study will examine:1. The effect stress has on a person 2. Medical expert’s awareness towards food being considered a stress reliever3. Stress induced by medical school4. Stress relieving attributes in food 5. Stress induced by hospital visits and treatments6. The possibilities of meal plan decisions and food activities existing in a medical
environment
The information gained from this study may help us to better understand the significance of food as a viable form of stress relief in medical conditions in which both the patient and doctor endure stress both previously in their lives and currently in treatment or frequent patients within the hospital.
PARTICIPATION: If you decide to be in this study, you will be one of 2 people recorded for later transcribing purposes in separate interviews of the same questions. Your participation will require 30 minutes of your time. Participation in this study is voluntary. You are free to decide not to participate in this study or to withdraw at any time without adversely affecting your relationship with the researcher and without fear of having your information/identity revealed. If you choose to participate, you may withdraw at any time by notifying Jacqueline Montano at 305-321-4298 or at [email protected]. Upon your request to withdraw, you may also request to have all information pertaining to you destroyed. If you choose to participate, all information will be held in strict confidence and no attempt to reveal your responses and identity to others will be made. Should your participation require translation by a third party, all identifying information will be removed from the text to ensure complete anonymity and privacy. The information obtained in the study may be published in scientific journals, as a book, or presented at scholarly meetings but your identity will be kept strictly confidential and only available to Jacqueline Montano.
Jacqueline MontanoPhone: 305-321-4298Email [email protected] Address: Deuxieme Maison Rm 164 11200 SW 8th St Miami, FL 33199
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VOLUNTARY CONSENT FORM: I have read and understand the information on the form and I consent to volunteer to be a subject in this study. I understand that my responses are completely confidential and that I have the right to withdraw at any time. I have received an unsigned copy of this informed Consent Form to keep in my possession. I understand that I may use a pseudonym or my initials instead of my name.
Name (PLEASE PRINT): ___________________ Signature:_________________________
Date: ___________________________________ Phone or email:_____________________
Best days and times to reach you: I certify that I have explained to the above individual the nature and purpose, the potential benefits, and possible risks associated with participating in this research study, have answered any questions that have been raised, and have witnessed the above signature.
Date:____________________________ Investigator's Signature:_______________________
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Results and Discussion
In completing my results, it provided answers to the questions being asked throughout the
duration of this project. The doctor which whom was interviewed was aware that food could be
seen as another stress reliever simply because people automatically rely on it times of stress.
However, where it has been scientifically proven that food is to be considered the “right”
alternative for stress relief, has yet to be confirmed. As the interview continued, I was able to
gain a better understanding as to the possibilities of this research question having any success in
the future and whether or not it’s another alternative that people should even rely on. No new
forms of research were brought to my attention when interviewing the doctor except for their
common knowledge and opinion on food in relation to stress. The doctor I interviewed had
previous experience working in pediatric care, therefore making it credible towards the
information being provided. There were important key points made that established what could
be considered the right forms of stress relief for both the patient and their families. I also learned
that the doctor experienced stress during their time in college and their workplace, but no
depressive symptoms came about during these two points in their life. Overall, with the provided
answers from a medical expert’s point of view, it appears that food cannot be considered a true
form of stress relief being that it’s just a temporary feeling when using it.
Interview
1. Did you undergo any kind of stress during the duration of your college career
and/or while attending medical school?
Yes
2. Was the workload overbearing or doable?
Somedays overbearing and somedays doable
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3. Did you ever experience odd symptoms such as increased fatigue, lack of appetite,
or the feeling of depression during your time spent in school?
No, except for over eating in times of stress. Relying on junk food or quick snacks was
always easier to resort to when you’re so limited on time for even having a full meal.
4. What methods did you use to overcome these stresses?
Being that I was the youngest in my class, I could say that I wasn’t as disciplined as the
rest of my surrounding classmates who would legitimately study Monday thru Sunday
with no breaks, whereas I would take Saturday and Sunday to give myself a break from
all the stress I had going on during my bachelors. Once I went into Grad School, I also
had a job which limited me to have any kind of free time, therefore I would at least give
myself one day off during the weekends whether it was Saturday and Sunday. Exercising
and vacations were also other outlets used whenever I felt stressed.
5. If so, do you believe they can also work for patients undergoing stress?
Yes
6. In the workplace do you feel over stressed or is it the right amount to get through
your day?
I get stressed but nothing to the point that I can no longer handle it.
7. Do you notice an increase in stress of terminal patients?
Yes
8. Are stress levels among temporary and terminal patients the same?
Mostly yes
9. Do you think that the hospital environment increases stress amongst pediatric
patients?
Yes
10. What alternatives do you believe can help relieve pediatric patients of stress?
Providing them with distracters of any kind, such as stickers, coloring books, toys, or
even service dogs who come to hospitals can make a patient get their mind off of the
reality of their daily situations and illnesses.
11. On average, about how many patients do you see undergoing stress?
Almost every patient has some sort of stress going on their lives, some more than others.
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12. Do you think that certain illnesses and diseases cause a greater increase in stress or
is it mostly caused by the environment they are in?
Depending on the illness, at times it can impose a greater stress on the patient if they have
a misconception or no knowledge on the severity of the disease. However, the patient’s
environment is crucial to their health in the sense of the people and objects they are
surrounded by on a day to day basis.
13. Do the families of these patients cause more stress for both the patient and you as a
doctor and/or medical expert?
Not only are you dealing with the stress of the patient, especially when dealing with
children, but also the child’s parents is undergoing stress which only adds to my stress as
the care taker. But everyone is there to meet a mutual goal which is to get the patient
better and in good health.
14. Are these stresses more prominent throughout the duration of their treatments or
are outside sources the main reason why patients have an increase in stress?
Outside sources and their daily stresses do play a factor throughout their treatment,
however being sick tends to be the “cherry on top” and only adds to it.
15. Do the stresses of patients affect their time for recovery?
Yes, which is why it’s important to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable
and at ease.
16. Do you think food can be used as another alternative for stress relief?
I think that most people have the quick tendency to resort to food in times of stress, but it
doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right method when dealing with stress. It could lead
to the disadvantages of gaining weight, potentially becoming diabetic or other problems
that follow when over-eating.
17. Can hospitals implement a more appetizing diet plan for patients as opposed to the
hospital food everyone receives?
That could be a possibility, however that would have to go through other departments in
which us as doctor’s don’t exactly have control over and it would be difficult to
determine whether or not that could be a true possibility.
18. Can the hospital make it a point where patients are able to create their own meal
plans, however it still follows the rules and regulations necessary for their health?
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A majority of the patients who have to stay overnight within hospitals rarely ever like the
food. It seems like a great idea, however that can be tricky because patients are obviously
going to lean towards the unhealthy foods the enjoy during those times.
19. Can cooking activities be implemented into the hospital environment?
I think that for pediatric patients that would be a great idea, however as I said previously,
it would have to go through multiple people before anything is approved.
20. Is this an interaction/activity that can have potential success within the medical
field?
Yes, but that answer varies based on what would and wouldn’t be allowed
21. What are the possible negative and positives outcomes of this potential alternative?
Gaining weight is always a major concern when it comes to the health of humans because
then it can also lead to other problems in the future. The positives is that it can bring a
light to those patients who spend their lives in the care of health facilities but it’s a matter
of seeing whether or not it would actually be used as another alternative.
22. Do you think that this alternative can also go hand in hand with whatever other
stress relievers you are recommending towards your patients?
Yes
23. Do you find it that food is a stress reliever for yourself?
Yes
24. Do you find yourself over eating or having a lack of appetite in times of stress?
I definitely turn to food when I’m stressed but not excessively or not enough.
25. Is there a certain meal or dessert that can always make you feel better?
Dulce de leche ice cream
26. What factors should be taken into account when considering food as another stress
reliever?
How it can affect a person’s weight, the types of food they can intake during their
treatment, if it will be beneficial towards their mental and physical self.
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Conclusion
To question the unknown is simply because of the many curiosities the human mind
carries and how it allows us to gain more knowledge throughout our lifetime. My attempt of
questioning the unknown was coming up with a research question that had yet to be tested or was
previously questioned, but had never gone into further detail to provide the answers people were
looking for. Therefore, discovering whether or not food could be considered as another stress
reliever for patients or even everyday people became the platform of this project. Whether it’s
through exercise, traveling, painting, listening to music, or even knitting, the list goes on forever
but it’s never been confirmed that food is to be taken into consideration when dealing with stress.
Why is that? When we feel stressed don’t we have the tendency to run to our fridge or pantry and
go after our comfort foods, so wouldn’t that make it the ultimate “stress-reliever”? However, no
studies have been performed in order to test these questions true, which is why I wanted to see
how I could provide some sort of insight in regards to this matter.
The research question was directed towards a person’s health, meaning that this was to be
questioned by medical experts who were highly familiar with the human mind and body. Before
anyone was questioned, I came up with multiple questions leading up to the main question as to
whether or not they believed food could be considered as another alternative for stress relief. I
interviewed a doctor to see their viewpoints on the severity of stress and what they believed
could help patients cope with it. However, there were several limitations to the study being that I
could not go directly to the patients and ask them if they believed food would relieve them of
stress nor did I have the medical expertise to test the accuracy behind that question. After
meeting with the doctor, it appeared that more research would have to be conducted because they
themselves were not sure of the possibilities it may have in relation to stress. Initially, food isn’t
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a confirmed stress reliever, except for short moments of distress and people resort to comfort
foods to help them deal with it.
For further research, I think it should actually be tested within hospital and other health
care facilities as to whether or not food can relieve their patients of stress. One of the questions
throughout the interview included implementing new dietary plans that were organized by the
patient themselves so that they could have the choice of foods rather than the unappealing food
provided for them. Also activities such as baking or small cooking classes that can distract
patients of the distress they are experiencing. Testing these questions will allow one to discover
the accuracy of this study, and hopefully make it the next official stress reliever.
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References
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