Associations of mindful eating and physical activity with mental workload and sleep quality in medical interns

This study aimed to investigate mindful eating practices and physical activity levels among medical interns and to examine their associations with mental workload and sleep quality. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among 165 medical interns at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics questionnaire, Persian Version of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (P-MEQ), Persian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (P-IPAQ), Persian version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (P-NASA-TLX), and Persian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P-PSQI). Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the independent associations of mindful eating and physical activity with mental workload and sleep quality outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated using SPSS v17 with statistical tests (p < 0.05). The mean total mental workload score was 68.48 ± 13.55 out of 100, and the mean PSQI score was 14.83 ± 3.24, indicating poor sleep quality. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that mindful eating awareness, distraction, total mindful eating score, and physical activity were associated with total mental workload (R2 = 0.40), with standardized beta coefficients ranging from − 0.235 to − 0.350 (all p < 0.001). Similarly, mindful eating awareness, distraction, and physical activity were associated with total sleep quality (R2 = 0.30), with beta coefficients of − 0.245, − 0.235, and −0.235, respectively (all p < 0.015). Mindful eating practices and physical activity are associated with lower mental workload and better sleep quality among medical interns. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be made. These findings highlight that these modifiable lifestyle behaviors may be relevant targets for further research aimed at supporting trainee well-being, though comprehensive approaches addressing both individual and organizational factors are necessary for optimal outcomes.