Are Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Emotional Eating, Alcohol Intake, and Anxiety Related in University Students in Spain?

Abstract

Research has suggested that university students are at risk from certain unhealthy habits, such as poor diet or alcohol abuse. At the same time, anxiety levels appear to be higher among university students, which may lead to high levels of emotional eating. The aim of this study was to analyze the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD), emotional eating, alcohol intake, and anxiety among Spanish university students, and the interrelationship of these variables. A total of 252 university students filled out the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) questionnaire for Mediterranean diet adherence, an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire. We analyzed descriptive data, a t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for differences, a Pearson correlation, and multiple regression tests. Results showed low levels of AMD among university students (15.5%) and considerable levels of emotional eating (29%) and anxiety (23.6%). However, levels of alcohol dependence were low (2.4%). State-anxiety was a predictor of the emotional eater score and its subscales, and sex also was predictive of subscale guilt and the total score. However, AMD was predicted only by trait-anxiety. These models accounted for between 1.9% and 19%. The results suggest the need for the implementation of educational programs to promote healthy habits among university students at risk.

Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) in Spanish Colleges

“…Among Spanish university students similar results have been found: a recent study showed that females frequently experience feelings of guilt following EE. However, males were unlikely to feel guilt after an EE episode [18]. In that study, the variable sex resulted the most predictive variable the for the subscale guilt, what indicates the existence of other factors associated with this subscale beyond EE.…”

“…It was necessary to examine factor structure, reliability, and concurrent and convergent validity of the EEQ in Spanish non-clinical samples, and, specifically, in university populations. It has been described poor eating habits among university students [18,59], and it has been found a significant relation between academic performance and EE at this stage [39]. Obesity prevention is a number one public health research priority, and it is clear that EE may play a significant role in the etiology of obesity in adolescents [65].…”

“…Evidence of convergent validity was analyzed using Spearman's correlation of the EEQ with STAI questionnaire, given the relationship between anxiety and emotional eating reported by previous researches [29,30,62]. Specifically, state-anxiety subscale was used, since recent research carried out with a university population has found that levels of state-anxiety show a direct linear association with all subscales of the EEQ, while for trait-anxiety this is only the case in the subscales of high calorie food preference and lack of control [18]. Finally, due to the predictive potential of emotional eating on eating problems, evidence of concurrent validity was calculated using Spearman correlations of EEQ with body mass index (BMI) and with some items about healthy habits.…”

“…Prevalence estimate varies according to different studies, with approximately 20-45% of non-clinical adult samples identifying as individuals who engage in emotional eating [17,18].…”

“…It seems particularly interesting to validate this instrument and to analyze its psychometric properties in a college population. Previous research suggests the need to improve the diet and eating habits of university students [18,59], and the relationship between academic performance and EE in adolescents [39].…”