The association between career stress and disordered eating behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

University students often experience high levels of stress due to uncertainty about their future careers, competitive job markets, and economic instability. Such stress may not only relate to general well-being but also be associated with maladaptive coping behaviors, including emotional or uncontrolled eating. Understanding these associations is crucial for identifying potential correlates of stress-related disordered eating patterns. This study aimed to examine the relationship between career stress and disordered eating behavior among university students, and to evaluate the moderating roles of gender and body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,294 students (Mean age = 21.2, SD = 2.5; 60.7% female) from a public university in Turkey. Data were collected using demographic questions, the Korean Career Stress Inventory, and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Female students scored significantly higher than males in both career stress and eating behavior (p < 0.05). Career stress was positively correlated with eating behavior and the regression analysis found that career stress explained 8% of the variance in eating behavior (R² = 0.084; β = 0.29; t = 10.82; p < 0.001). Moderation analyses indicated that this positive association intensified as BMI increased, and was more pronounced in males.

CONCLUSIONS

Career stress was found to be modestly and positively associated with maladaptive eating behaviors among university students. This association intensifies as BMI increases and is more pronounced in males. Longitudinal, multi-method, and multi-center studies are needed to better evaluate the direction of this relationship and its underlying mechanisms.