A cross-sectional study on emotional eating patterns in response to positive and negative emotions and mindful eating awareness among undergraduate medical students in Virudhunagar district

Introduction: Undergraduate students experience significant stress due to academics and challenges associated with transitioning to young adulthood exposing them to the risk of mental health issues, including eating disorders. This study aimed to identify the eating behaviors of medical students and assess their awareness of mindful eatingAim and Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of emotional eaters among undergraduate students. To Compare the frequency patterns of emotional eating pertaining to positive and negative emotions. To assess the level of knowledge about mindful eating among the medical studentsMaterials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited Phase I, II and III MBBS Students after exclusion of eating and mood disorders by standardised questionnaires. Ethical approval was obtained. Emotional Eater Questionnaire was given to identify emotional eaters and subsequently they were given Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale to compare the eating patterns. Finally mindful Eating Questionnaire to assess the knowledge on mindful eating. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Software. p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: There was a positive correlation between BMI and Emotional eating score (R = 0.273, p = 0.018*). There was higher incidence of overeating in response to Positive emotions (p = 0.041149*) and undereating to negative emotions (p = 0.013993*). Higher BMI individuals tend to exhibit lower levels of mindful eating.Conclusion: As emotional eating could lead to obesity and metabolic disorders, knowledge about mindful eating is a priority.