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Background: Food security, unhealthy dietary patterns, and maladaptive eating behaviors are growing concerns among university students, with potential implications for both physical and mental health.
Objective: This study examined the associations between food security, dietary patterns, eating behaviors and mental health among university students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 participants, predominantly undergraduate students. Data on socio-demographic, food security status, dietary intake, eating behaviors, and psychological distress were collected using standard questionnaires. Body composition was assessed using standard anthropometric measures. Factor analysis identified dietary patterns and eating behaviors, while logistic regression and correlation analyses determined associations with mental health, food security and anthropometric indicators.
Key findings: Three dietary patterns were identified: staple and energy-dense foods, Sugar- enriched diet and protein-vegetable-enriched diet. Six distinct eating behaviors also emerged: Emotional eating, Hedonic eating, Controlled eating, Food selectivity, Sensory eating and Situational eating. The majority of the participants were food insecure (81.1%). High psychological distress was reported by 76.1% of participants. Emotional eating (p=0.019) and situational eating (p=0.007) were significantly associated with poor mental health. Protein-enriched diets were associated with higher body fat (p=0.025) and lower muscle mass (p=0.025); staples and energy-dense foods (p=0.015) and protein-enriched diets (p=0.015) were linked to Resting Metabolic Rate. Sugar-enriched diets were inversely associated with BMI (p=0.040) and marginally significant for visceral fat (p=0.059). Situational eating was associated with an altered waist-to-hip ratio (p=0.020).
Implications: High food insecurity and psychological distress are prevalent among tertiary students. Emotional and situational eating behaviors negatively impacts mental health, while dietary patterns were associated with specific anthropometric outcomes. Interventions promoting balanced dietary habits, improved food security, and healthier coping strategies are needed urgently to improve both physical and mental health in this population while supporting student well-being.
Keywords: Food security, Dietary pattern, Eating behavior, Mental Health, Anthropometry