Exploring Mindful Eating Practices and Their Impact on Stress and Body Mass Index amongst Undergraduates

Abstract

Background: Mindful eating is correlated with the adoption of healthier dietary habits and improved psychological well-being. However, stress-induced eating behaviour amongst undergraduates can lead to overconsumption of food and an elevated body mass index (BMI), increasing susceptibility to non-communicable diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to explore mindful eating practices amongst undergraduates, focusing on gender differences and their relation with stress and BMI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 558 undergraduates in International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan campus (n=279 males, n=279 females) aged from 18 years to 25 years. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, mindful eating questionnaire (MEQ) and perceived stress scale (PSS-10). Data were analysed using SPSS Version 27.0 for descriptive analysis, independent t-test, and correlation analysis, with statistical significance set at p-value<0.05. Results: The mean MEQ summary score was 2.73±0.27, with 81.9% participants reporting moderate stress levels. No significant difference in MEQ scores was observed between males and females (p-value=0.283). However, females had significantly higher stress scores (p-value=0.028). MEQ scores showed a weak but significant negative correlation with stress levels (r=−0.133, p-value=0.002) and BMI (r=−0.112, p-value=0.008). Conclusions: Mindful eating is prevalent in this study population, although no significant difference was identified between genders. females exhibited higher levels of stress as compared to males. Mindful eating demonstrates a significant inverse association with both stress and BMI, underscoring its potential benefits for overall well-being. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindful eating interventions in reducing stress and managing weight; incorporating assessments of dietary intake and academic performance.