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The relationship between stress, anxiety and eating behavior among Chinese students: a cross-sectional study
Higher education enrollment has increased awareness of mental health issues like eating disorders, stress, and anxiety. In China, the educational environment and societal expectations exacerbate stress among college students. The purpose of this study by Chai et al. (2024) is to investigate how anxiety functions as a mediator between stress and eating patterns in Chinese college students. The authors used data from college students (n = 1672, age below 25) who participated in the Psychology and Behavior Survey of Chinese Residents (PBICR, 2021). The findings indicated that stress levels among Chinese college students are considerable, with long-term stress being somewhat greater than short-term stress. Unhealthy eating habits and increased anxiety were positively correlated with both forms of stress. Anxiety was a significant mediator, accounting for 28.3% of the relationship between eating habits and chronic stress. Additionally, anxiety accounted for 61.4% of the total effect of short-term stress on eating patterns. The study highlights the need for stress management and mental health services for students, proposing strategies to ease external pressures, reduce anxiety, and encourage healthier eating habits. Recommendations include expanding job opportunities, offering career counseling, enhancing campus and community support for overall development, strengthening mental health services, integrating AI technologies, promoting healthy living education, and implementing targeted health programs. [NPID: stress, anxiety, eating behavior, college student, health psychology]
Year: 2024
