DefinePK

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and eating behaviours, specifically cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating among university students in Lahore, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 university students aged 18–24 years using random sampling. Anthropometric data were collected to calculate BMI, and validated questionnaires, including the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), were administered. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS v21. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used; p-values <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Of the participants, 48.05% had normal BMI, 40.78% were overweight, and 6.23% were obese. A statistically significant association was found between BMI and emotional eating (p = 0.018), with higher scores in overweight and obese individuals. No significant relationship was observed between BMI and either cognitive restraint (p = 0.985) or uncontrolled eating (p = 0.443). Most participants (68.57%) exhibited minimal anxiety levels.
Conclusion: The study highlights a significant link between BMI and emotional eating among university students, suggesting emotional regulation as a potential target for obesity prevention strategies. Integrative interventions focusing on mental health and healthy eating behaviours are warranted in academic settings.