In a biological assessment of stress response, what aspects of an individual's health are typically assessed?

In a biological assessment of the stress response, appetite and sleep are key indicators of how the body is reacting to stress. When an individual experiences stress, it can lead to changes in appetite; some may experience loss of appetite while others might turn to overeating as a coping mechanism. Similarly, sleep patterns can be significantly affected by stress, with some individuals struggling to fall asleep or maintain restful sleep, while others may sleep excessively.

These changes in appetite and sleep are physiological responses that provide valuable insight into an individual’s stress levels and overall health. Assessing these aspects helps healthcare professionals identify the impact of stress on the individual and can serve as a basis for further interventions or treatment plans.

While other aspects such as exercise frequency, social interactions, blood pressure, heart rate, mood, and cognitive functions can certainly contribute to understanding an individual's overall health and stress levels, they do not directly measure the biological aspects of the stress response in the same immediate and discernible way as appetite and sleep do.