Unhealthy Eating Research Articles

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels resulting from insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. One of the risk factors associated with the occurrence of T2DM is dietary patterns. Unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming foods high in sugar and fat but low in fiber, can increase the risk of developing T2DM. This study aims to determine the relationship (correlation) between dietary patterns and the incidence of T2DM in the working area of a Community Health Center (Puskesmas). The study used a quantitative method with a descriptive correlational design and a cross-sectional approach. A total of 83 respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test. The results showed a significant relationship between dietary patterns and the incidence of T2DM (p < 0.05). The conclusion of this study is that there is a correlation between dietary patterns and the incidence of T2DM, indicating that nutrition education and dietary behavior modification are crucial for prevention..

Food insecurity and disordered eating: Associations among adults with and without children.

Associations of dietary habits, inflammatory dietary index, and lifestyle factors with depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study of 53,539 individuals with thyroid nodules.

On the basis of statistical material and sociological research, the authors demonstrate the crisis nature of demographic processes in Russia in general and focus in particular on men as a risk group for premature mortality. The analysis of demographic indicators shows that the continuing excess of mortality over the birth rate is due in no small part to the excess mortality of the male population of working age. It is noted that despite the difference in the biological resistance of the male and female organism, the reasons for the increased mortality of men lie not only in this difference, but also in their insufficiently formed culture of careful attitude to their health. The author’s sociological research, conducted among 6280 male respondents selected on the basis of a representative sample, reveals negative health practices in the life of Russian men and identifies stable patterns of men’s behavior that negatively affect their health. The study pays special attention to the analysis of socio-cultural determinants, which create significant barriers to seeking timely medical help. It concluded that Russian men pay insufficient attention to physical activity, tend to have unhealthy eating habits, are reluctant to undergo medical examinations, often fail to comply with treatment regimes and adopt a passive attitude to health issues. The study identified three dominant patterns of behavior in men’s attitudes to health issues: orientation towards the state health care system, emphasis on environmental factors and psychological stability, and emphasis on personal responsibility. The data show the prevalence of a passive attitude in which responsibility for health is delegated to medical institutions, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of preventive measures. The authors argue that it is necessary to apply health-building and health-enhancing technologies of demographic management to men. Special emphasis is placed on the development of specific communication strategies to overcome harmful stereotypes and to motivate men to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Psychological predictors of eating Behavior: The role of maladaptive schemas and emotion regulation across BMI, gender, and age groups.

Obesity is a growing public health issue, particularly among young adults such as university students. Lifestyle changes characterized by high consumption of fast food and low levels of physical activity are major contributing factors to the increasing prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between fast food consumption habits and physical activity levels with the incidence of obesity among students of the Pharmacy Study Program at Medistra Health Institute, Lubuk Pakam. This research employed an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 59 students, selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess fast food consumption habits, physical activity questionnaires to determine activity levels, and waist circumference measurements as an indicator of central obesity. Data were analyzed using the Spearman rho correlation test with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed a significant relationship between fast food consumption habits (r = 0.596; p < 0.05) and physical activity (r = 0.389; p < 0.05) with obesity incidence among students. The findings indicate that students who frequently consume fast food and engage in low levels of physical activity are at a higher risk of developing obesity. In conclusion, unhealthy eating patterns and sedentary lifestyles are key factors contributing to obesity among young adults; therefore, preventive efforts through nutrition education and the promotion of regular physical activity are necessary within the university environment.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant public health concern globally, with a growing burden in South Asian countries, including the Maldives. South Asian women are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance and often experience GDM even at lower levels of adiposity. This study investigates maternal factors influencing the development of GDM among Maldivian women, aiming to inform risk stratification and preventive strategies. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 137 postpartum Maldivian women within two years of delivery. Participants self-reported demographic, obstetric, and lifestyle information via an online survey. Key variables included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), parity, maternal birth weight, family history of diabetes, prior GDM history, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking. Statistical analysis, including logistic regression, was used to identify significant predictors of GDM. Results: The prevalence of GDM in the sample was 34.3%. Statistically significant risk factors included maternal age ≥30 years (p = 0.0026), high pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.001), low maternal birth weight (p = 0.0014), family history of diabetes (p = 0.0334), and prior diagnosis of GDM (p < 0.001). Unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity were also more common in the GDM group. Multivariate analysis confirmed previous GDM, family history, and low birth weight as the strongest predictors of GDM. Conclusion: This study highlights the considerable influence of both modifiable (diet, BMI, physical activity) and non-modifiable (maternal age, birth weight, genetics) maternal factors on the development of GDM in the Maldivian population. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, preconception counselling, and culturally adapted prenatal education to reduce GDM incidence and its intergenerational consequences.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) represents one of the greatest public health challenges today, with increasing prevalence across all age groups, mainly due to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has been widely studied as an effective strategy for the prevention and management of T2DM, due to its dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish. This study aimed to evaluate, through a literature review, the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on glycemic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and the prevention of complications associated with type 2 diabetes.The results show that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with improvements in metabolic markers, reduced insulin resistance, and a lower incidence of T2DM. Furthermore, studies highlight complementary benefits such as positive impact on cardiovascular health, modulation of the gut microbiota, and reduction of inflammatory processes. The combination of the Mediterranean diet with regular physical activity enhances its beneficial effects, contributing to improved quality of life and prevention of complications. It is concluded that the Mediterranean diet is a safe, effective, and sustainable nutritional approach for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, reinforcing the importance of integrated strategies for a healthy lifestyle.

Introduction: Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in pregnant women is a major nutritional issue, especially in disaster-prone areas where food security and healthcare access are limited. In Palu City, Central Sulawesi, the prevalence of CED remains high, contributing to poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to examine the determinants of CED among pregnant women in the working area of Talise Community Health Center, a disaster-affected region in Palu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2024 with 258 pregnant women selected through accidental sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, 2x24-hour dietary recalls, and MUAC measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi square test with a 95% confidence interval. Results: CED prevalence was 28.1%. Significant associations were found between CED and maternal age (p = 0,046), short interpregnancy interval (p = 0,005), low education (p = 0,005), poor family support (p<0,001), limited healthcare access (p = 0,014), unhealthy lifestyle practices (p = 0,004), and poor maternal knowledge (p<0,001). Macronutrient intake (energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate) and vitamin A adequacy were also significantly associated with CED (p<0,001). However, folic acid and calcium intake showed no significant relationship. In addition, unhealthy eating habits, food insecurity, and low household income were strongly linked to CED (p<0,001). Conclusion: CED among pregnant women in disasterprone areas is influenced by various sociodemographic, behavioral, and nutritional factors. Improving education, dietary intake, family and health service support are essential strategies to address CED in vulnerable populations.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major challenge in today's health development. One category of these diseases is hypertension, which is classified as a chronic disease with a relatively high mortality rate. Hypertension serves as a major predictor for various chronic diseases and is a common disease found in the community (Putri et al., 2025). If not managed properly, hypertension can lead to more serious complications such as stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, and blindness. Stroke (51%) and coronary heart disease (45%) are the leading causes of death related to hypertension (Pokhrel, 2024). The increasing prevalence of hypertension along with changes in lifestyle and unhealthy eating patterns adds to the global health burden. Therefore, effective management of hypertension is essential to prevent further complications. Appropriate hypertension management and regular monitoring can reduce the risk of related diseases, improve quality of life, and reduce mortality caused by complications of heart disease and stroke. Preventive and promotive efforts through health education are key to reducing the prevalence of hypertension in the community.

Background: Psychological vulnerabilities, including early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), emotion regulation difficulties, perceived stress, and limited social support, are increasingly recognized as drivers of maladaptive eating and obesity. These findings underscore the need for health education and health promotion strategies that address psychological determinants of eating behavior. However, few studies integrate these psychological mechanisms with dietary and lifestyle indicators in both community and medical populations. Methods: A total of 1500 adults (aged 18–65 years; 53% women) recruited from community and medical settings participated in the study. Data were collected between January 2018 and February 2025 using standardized paper-based questionnaires. Participants completed validated measures of EMSs (YSQ-S3), emotion regulation (DERS), stress (PSS-10), social support (MSPSS), eating-related behaviors (QERB), diet (FFQ-6; Unhealthy Diet Index [UDI]), and physical activity (IPAQ-SF). Anthropometric indices included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as an indicator of central adiposity. Analyses involved multivariate regression, mediation, and moderation models. Results: EMSs were associated with emotional overeating and higher UDI scores. Difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the EMS–eating relationship (β_indirect = 0.27, p < 0.001). Perceived stress amplified, while social support attenuated, the association between EMSs and emotion regulation difficulties. UDI was inversely related to physical activity (β = −0.14, p < 0.01) and positively to sedentary time (β = 0.12, p < 0.01). Both BMI and WC were higher among participants reporting greater stress, emotion dysregulation, and unhealthy eating. All effects remained robust after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. Conclusions: Early maladaptive schemas and emotion regulation difficulties contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns and central adiposity, with stress and social support acting as contextual moderators. Integrating psychological assessment with validated dietary and lifestyle measures provides a comprehensive framework for obesity prevention and schema-informed interventions. From a lifespan perspective (18–65 years), these findings highlight the need for multidomain strategies targeting cognitive–emotional and behavioral mechanisms of weight regulation.

IntroductionStudies have suggested a link between dietary behavior and adolescent depressive symptoms, but longitudinal data are scarce. This study examines the longitudinal association of breakfast and midnight snacks consumption with depressive symptoms among multi-ethnic adolescents in China.MethodsFrom October 2022 to October 2024, 1,693 middle school students (52.3% females) from Yunnan Province participated in five follow-up surveys (T1-T5) conducted every six months. Breakfast and midnight snacks consumption were assessed using questionnaires, and depressive symptoms were measured using Children’s Depression Inventory. The latent growth curve model was analyzed using Mplus software to assess the potential growth trajectories of breakfast days, midnight snacks days, and depressive symptom scores across five time points. The generalized estimation equation model was applied to examine the association between the number of breakfast and midnight snacks days and depressive symptom scores. Two models were established: Model 1 was unadjusted, without controlling any variables; Model 2 was adjusted for demographic variables and other potential confounders influencing depressive symptoms. A restricted cubic spline analysis was used to examine the relationship between the number of breakfast days per week, midnight snacks days per week, and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 26.3% at T1 to 37.3% at T5 (P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, breakfast frequency (β = -0.71, 95%CI: -0.87-0.56) and midnight snacks frequency in males (β = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.24 - 0.55) and females (β = -0.77, 95%CI: -0.92 - -0.63; β = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.02 - 0.32) were associated with depressive symptoms (all P < 0.05). Males eating breakfast and midnight snacks fewer than three days and more than four days, respectively, per week, and females eating breakfast and midnight snacks fewer than four days and more than two day, respectively, per week, had an increased risk of depressive symptoms.DiscussionSkipping breakfast and eating midnight snacks are related to depressive symptoms in multi-ethnic Chinese adolescents. Addressing unhealthy eating behaviors is critical for preventing and mitigating adolescent depressive symptoms.

Appropriate eating habits are formed from the early childhood but can be modified at different stages of life and into the old age. They depend on economic, social and psychological factors. Eating habits are formed mainly in the family environment and their correct formation is crucial for healthy human development and disease prevention. In the elderly, poor nutrition can be caused by many factors, including: health problems, lack of access to adequate food, physiological changes and socio-economic factors. The aim of the article is to present the need of improving the eating habits of the aging Polish society. The research section presents an up-to-date review of Polish literature using Google Scholar, PubMed and statistical data of the Statistics Poland (GUS). Optimal development, maturation and aging of the body depend on proper nutrition and promotion of proper eating habits during childhood and adolescence. The level of affluence significantly affects eating irregularities, which may result in a preference for unhealthy eating behaviors. A balanced diet during adolescence can prevent many diseases later in life. A properly balanced diet leads to the prevention of many diseases in old age. Building proper eating habits is key to maintaining proper physical condition. Appropriate health education and the use of modern technologies play an important role in creating and maintaining appropriate nutritional behaviors and improving health. It is essential to implement actions aimed at improving dietary habits among the elderly.

A smartphone is helpful for the students but excessive use of smartphone is a sign of addiction to smartphone. Long-term use of smartphone can cause physical, mental and behavioural problems such as eye problems, unhealthy eating habits, decrease in academic performance, decrease in attention and concentration, communication and adaptation problems, development of addictive behaviour, low self-esteem and suicidal tendencies (Nayak JK, 2018).1To create awareness about smart phone addiction among nursing students the researcher conducted the study “Prevalence of smartphone addiction and its relation with the mental well-being of nursing students of a selected nursing institution in Kolkata, West Bengal.” The objectives were to identify the prevalence rate of smart phone addiction, to assess the mental wellbeing and to find out the relationship between smart phone addiction and mental wellbeing among nursing students. Methodology: The research approach adopted was a non-experimental descriptive survey design. The study was conducted in a selected nursing Institution of Kolkata with sample size 119. Non probability consecutive sampling technique was used. The tools used were personal information, Smart phone addiction scale- SV, questionnaire on mental well-being including Bergen insomnia scale (BIS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9) for data collection. The techniques used for data collection were questionnaire through online. Result: The findings showed 31.93% participants addicted to smartphone, 89.9% participants were found to spend 0–5 hours daily on screens.55.46% students admitted to using their smartphone for at least 30 minutes after the lights were turned off, and 54.62% kept their smartphone near their pillow while sleeping.The insomnia among nursing students revealed 60.50% and depression among the nursing students showed29.41% mild depression, and 5.04% students experienced severe depression while 31.09% had no depression.Smartphone addiction had significant positive correlation with insomnia (r= 0.33) and depression (r= 0.37). Conclusion:Future research can be built upon these findings and further investigation and intervention can be done. Addressing the problems proactively and awareness and precaution can enhance academic outcomes, clinical safety, and student’s mental well-being.

Generalized anxiety disorder is associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods and eating behaviors markers in university students.

Understanding the influencing factors of adolescents' (12-17) healthy and unhealthy food choices and experiences in Tamil Nadu, India: a socioecological perspective.

ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among primary school children in Tunisia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among children enrolled in primary schools in Sousse, Tunisia, in April 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used. A structured questionnaire and medical records were used to collect data. A multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with dental caries.ResultsIn total, 376 children were included. The prevalence of dental caries was 43.9%. Based on a bivariate analysis, many factors were associated with dental caries, such as children from public schools (p < 0.001), lack of tooth brushing (p < 0.001), tooth brushing only 1 time per day (p < 0.001), unhealthy eating habits (p ≤ 0.05), and overweight body mass index (p = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, risk factors for dental caries were age and eating after brushing in the evening, whereas protective factors included frequent tooth brushing and regular toothbrush replacement.ConclusionsWe recommend organizing awareness days in schools, implementing programs on preventive measures against dental caries, and expanding screening campaigns.

Unhealthy Eating Behaviours and Junk Food Consumption in Industrial Shift Workers

Voluntary exercise alters high-fat food intake and meal structure across the light-dark cycle in mice.

Adolescents with obesity are vulnerable to weight bias internalization (WBI) and may face its psychological and behavioral health consequences. However, little is known about WBI and its effects on psychological distress and poor health behaviors among obese Thai students. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association of WBI with psychological distress and health behaviors among obese Thai high school students. A cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2023 to March 2024 among 785 obese high school students in Mahasarakham, Thailand, with a multistage sampling method. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of WBI with psychological distress and health behaviors. Most students were girls (47.1%), with a mean age of 14.7 years (SD = 1.2) and a mean body mass index of 29.8 kg/m2 (SD = 1.6). The mean WBI, depression, and self-esteem scores were 38.9 (SD = 8.4), 20.1 (SD = 4.5), and 25.0 (SD = 5.0), respectively. Most participants reported unhealthy eating habits (52.2%) and inadequate physical activity (51.3%). WBI was associated with severe depressive symptoms (β = 0.292; P &lt; 0.01), low self-esteem (β = -0.221; P &lt; 0.01), unhealthy eating behaviors (adjusted OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.18), and inadequate physical activity (adjusted OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.17). WBI was associated with adverse psychological and behavioral health among these obese students. Thus, future interventions to prevent or reduce WBI are needed, such as individual- or school-based interventions or school anti-stigma campaign strategies.