Stress Levels, Emotional Eating, Snacking Habits, and Nutrient Intake among College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Afia, Difa
Dwiriani, Cesilia Meti
Dina, Resa Ana

Jurnal Gizi dan Pangan
Vol. 18 No. Supp.1 (2023)

This study analyzed the correlation between stress levels and emotional eating, snacking habits, and nutrient intake among college students. This cross-sectional study involved 98 students as subjects who were selected by convenience sampling through an online questionnaire. The result showed 70.4% of the subjects experienced moderate stress, 52% were emotional eaters, 64.3% consumed snacks more than 3 times a day, 39.7% had a protein deficit, 36.7% had an excessive fat intake, and 49% had an energy and carbohydrate intake classified as severely deficit. This study found a positive correlation (p=0.04; r=0.21) between stress levels and emotional eating. Among college students, a high prevalence of moderate stress level was associated with emotional eating.