Insights on eating behaviors among adult females in Jordan: A national survey study

Culture plays an important role in determining the type of food in societies. Most people suffer from challenges related to eating habits as many young women have a lack of acceptance of their body shape. Between April 20, 2025 and May 31, 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online survey tool in Jordan to examine female adults eating behavior. This study used the Arabic version of a previously validated questionnaire named Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict significant factors influencing the food behaviors. A total of 702 females were involved in this study. The mean food approach subscale score was 44.8 ± 10.3, demonstrating more positive attitude towards approaching foods. Among the food approach subscales, "Enjoyment of Food" showed the highest mean score (21.23 ± 4.12), corresponding to 70.7% of the maximum possible score, while "Emotional Over-Eating" had the lowest mean score at 12.64 ± 5.6 (50.5%). The mean food avoidance subscale score was 38.1 ± 6.2, demonstrating more positive attitude towards foods avoidance. In the food avoidance subscales, "Food Fussiness" recorded the highest mean score (14.34 ± 2.36; 71.7%), while "slowness in Eating" had the lowest mean score at 11.55 ± 3.87 (57.7%). Overweight and obese individuals had higher odds of food approach behaviors compared to underweight individuals (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.09-2.88, P = .02, OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.41-8.19, P = .006), respectively. Conversely, overweight and obese participants had significantly lower odds of food avoidance behaviors (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23-0.62, P < .001, OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11-0.67, P = .00), respectively. Additionally, participants working in nonmedical fields had lower odds of food avoidance behaviors compared to those not working (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.78, P = .01). Both food approach and avoidance behaviors were positively viewed by females in Jordan, with "Food Fussiness" and "Enjoyment of Food" being the most prominent features. Overweight and obese females had higher food approach and lower food avoidance behaviors, suggesting a behavioral pattern that may contribute to excess weight. These findings highlight the complex link between sociodemographic parameters including body weight and diet.