Associations among executive function, social functioning, emotional states, and eating behavior patterns in young adults.

Eating behavior patterns are influenced by multiple neurocognitive processes, including executive, emotional, and social functioning. However, their relative associations, particularly among healthy individuals without eating disorders, remain unclear. This study investigated the relationships between eating behavior patterns and executive function, social functioning, and emotional states in young adults. This cross-sectional study included 101 healthy young adults aged 20-30 years, recruited from a student population between March 2025 and July 2025. Eating behavior patterns, executive function, social functioning, and emotional states were assessed using validated questionnaires and neurocognitive tasks. Partial correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Female participants scored higher than males on measures of binge eating, food-cue reactivity, decision-making, social functioning, and emotional distress. Eating behavior patterns, except for emotional undereating and satiety responsiveness, showed stronger associations with executive function. Reward sensitivity and hypervigilance were associated with food addiction. Food fussiness was linked to reduced cognitive flexibility. Sensory sensitivity, stereotyped behaviors, and social stress symptoms were associated with multiple eating-related measures. Eating behavior patterns in young adults were associated with executive, social, and emotional processes. These findings should be interpreted as exploratory and associative, given the cross-sectional and non-clinical nature of the sample. The results provide preliminary, associative insights into the relationships between executive flexibility, social functioning, emotional regulation, and eating behavior patterns. Future research in larger and clinical samples is warranted.