Psychosocial and dietary influences on eating behaviors and body mass index among geographically diverse Indian university students

In the context of India's growing youth population, the interplay of dietary habits, social influences, and psychological factors critically shapes nutritional health outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined the socio-demographic, dietary, psychological, and social determinants of eating behaviour and their association with body mass index (BMI) among 3,150 undergraduate students from agricultural universities across six Indian regions. Using a validated self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric assessments, the study applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on 14 binary behavioural variables to identify latent dimensions influencing dietary patterns. The key behavioral components associated with BMI were: External Cues & Emotional Reactivity (PC2) (β = +2.04, r = + 0.77), characterized by emotional eating and responsiveness to food advertisements; Dietary Practices & Cultural Disengagement (PC1) (β = -1.54, r = - 0.58), reflecting structured dietary habits independent of cultural food norms; and Positive Affect & Peer Independence (PC6) (β = -0.84, r = - 0.31), indicating emotionally positive, peer-independent eating. Dietary assessments revealed that although cereal consumption was adequate (100%), notable deficiencies were observed in the intake of green leafy vegetables, milk, and fruits, with consumption levels falling approximately 31-34%, 13-18%, and 10-20% below recommended dietary guidelines, respectively. The findings highlighted that beyond nutritional deficits, psychosocial factors including emotional reactivity and social pressures significantly influence students' weight status. Emotional vulnerability and environmental cues linked with higher BMI, whereas structured eating and emotional well-being are protective. This research underscores the need for gender and socially sensitive nutrition programs in Indian universities to prevent both obesity and undernutrition.