Manuscript Title:

FOOD ADDICTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH STRESS AND OBESITY IN FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF ISLAMABAD RAWALPINDI PAKISTAN

Author:

JAVERIA ASIF, JUWERIA ABID, ABDUL MOMIN RIZWAN AHMAD, TAYIBA SULTANA, UMAR FAROOQ

DOI Number:

DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/2ABWU

Published : 2023-08-10

About the author(s)

1. JAVERIA ASIF - Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
2. JUWERIA ABID - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
3. ABDUL MOMIN RIZWAN AHMAD - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
4. TAYIBA SULTANA - Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
5. UMAR FAROOQ - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity are global health concerns linked to overeating, food addiction and stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food addiction and its relationship with stress and obesity in female university students in Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Methodology: A total of 384 female university students were enrolled in the study. Data regarding anthropometric measurements, food addiction and perceived stress were collected. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 26. Results: The study observed that among female university students, most had a normal body weight (62.0%), followed by underweight (19.0%) and overweight (14.0%) categories. The majority exhibited low food addictions (81.0%), while a small percentage reported high food addiction. A few subjects reported high stress levels. The study identified a significant association between food addiction, obesity, and perceived stress (p<0.001). Conclusion: The observed results could potentially be attributed to the selection of students who reported stress and had heavy study loads. These factors may contribute to the interplay between food addiction, stress, and body weight in this population. Further research and targeted interventions are warranted to promote healthier behaviors and address the implications of these findings.


Keywords

Food Addiction, Perceived Stress, Obesity, Female University Students.