Chocolate is commonly craved and eaten during depressive mood states and has shown to improve negative moods and reduce stress. Exams and assessments are known to be stressful, leading to a worse mood in those prone to mood disorders. This study explored whether the consumption of chocolate by university students increased during assessments and examination periods, and whether it had an effect on their mood and concentration. A total of 50 students from fourth-year Master of Pharmacy, participated in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire designed to identify both their knowledge of chocolate and preferences towards it. Participants were also given a fact card on chocolate, for which they completed a fact card checklist. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel™ and a simple coding system to work out mean averages; open-ended questions were analysed qualitatively by identifying themes, comparators and their significance. Results were checked for correlations with students’ mood and concentration with the amount and consumption of chocolate during examinations and assessments, compared to other times of the year, with gender, age and ethnicity taken into account. The increase in the consumption of chocolate was equivalent in both male and female (58%) during examination periods, compared to other times of the year; where there was greater consumption in females than males. In conclusion, chocolate consumption increased in 60% of university students around assessment and examination periods and had a greater effect on the mood and concentration of the female participants in comparison to the male.
