Factors Associated with Food Addiction in University Students
Keywords:
University Students, Obesity, Depression, Perceived Stress, Food AddictionAbstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food addiction among university students and to identify the factors that influence this addiction, focusing on demographic, health-related, and psychological characteristics. The study sample comprised 150 undergraduate students from a university in C city, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire from October 1 to November 30, 2023. They were analyzed using IBM SPSS/WIN 29.0, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, t-test, and binomial logistic regression analysis. The mean score of food addiction among university students was 1.50±2.32, and 49 (32.7%) respondents were food addicts, of which 33 (15.4%) were moderately or severely addicted to food. After adjusting for significant univariate variables, food addiction in university students was influenced by obesity (p =.010), Disease (p=.037), high levels of perceived stress (p=.018), and depression (p<.001). To prevent food addiction among university students and to modify their behavior, both university students themselves and healthcare managers should be aware of the risk of food addiction among university students. A comprehensive assessment of health problems and psychological burdens and a multidisciplinary approach are necessary to tackle food addiction. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate healthcare and psychological factors into education on healthy eating habits in food poisoning prevention programs for university students.
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