Food, Mind, and Society: Psychosocial Determinants of Dietary Behaviors among Medical Students

Authors

• Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Diyala, 32001, Diyala, IraqFollow
• Ruwaida Abbas Ghaeb, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, IraqFollow
• Mustafa Ali Mustafa Al-Samarrai, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Anbar University, Anbar, Iraq
• Muhammed Yunus Bektay, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Pharmacy, İstanbul, TürkiyeFollow

Corresponding Author

Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo

Authors ORCID

Saad Ahmed Ali Jadoo: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4901-1264

Ruwaida Abbas Ghaeb: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6447-591X

Mustafa Ali Mustafa Al-Samarrai: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1352-8392

Muhammed Yunus Bektay: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2032-9957

Document Type

Original Study

Keywords

BMI, Dietary habits, Emotional eating, Medical students, Psychosocial factors

Abstract

Background: University life grants students greater independence, during which they are prone to behavioral changes, particularly the adoption of unhealthy eating patterns.
Objectives: This study aims to assess dietary habits and examine the psychological and social factors influencing eating behaviors among medical students at the University of Diyala in Iraq.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 1st and December 31st, 2025, at the College of Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq. A universal sampling technique using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect the data. Based on healthy eating indicators a dietary habits scale (0–12) was used. Descriptive, Bivariate and Binary logistic regression were performed to predict unhealthy dietary habits. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Data from 322 medical students with a mean age of 21.8 ± 2.1 years were analyzed. Most respondents were female (53.1%), and 34.8% were either overweight or obese. Only 42.2% and 29.5% reported daily breakfast and fruits consumption. Majority (81.4%) reported a desire to eat when bored, and 58.7% when being stressed. Smoking, lack of physical activity, emotional eating when stressed, and uncontrolled eating episodes were significantly associated Poor dietary habits. However, multivariate logistic regression found that physical inactivity (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI:1.28–3.46) and emotional eating (AOR = 1.89; 95% CI:1.12–3.17) were independently predicted unhealthy dietary habits.
Conclusion: Psychological and social factors, as well as lifestyle patterns, have a significant impact on the eating habits of medical students. Incorporating nutrition education and interventions designed to manage stress into medical curricula may lead to improved health behaviors in the long term.

How to Cite This Article

Jadoo, Saad Ahmed Ali; Ghaeb, Ruwaida Abbas; Al-Samarrai, Mustafa Ali Mustafa; and Bektay, Muhammed Yunus (2026) "Food, Mind, and Society: Psychosocial Determinants of Dietary Behaviors among Medical Students," Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science: Vol. 4: Iss. 3, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62445/2958-4515.1124

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.