Association between eating behavior and levels of anxiety, stress and depression in students from private universities in Metropolitan Lima, 2021.

Background: The evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic affected eating behavior due to the anxiety it generates in individuals, especially among the younger population; As a result, preferences in unhealthy foods are observed. The objective was to explore the association between eating behavior and levels of anxiety, stress and depression in the population of university students from two private universities in the city of Lima, Peru during the year 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional study on a sample of 371 participants from two private universities in Peru between October and November 2021. The Healthy Eating Index Questionnaire (IAS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) were used. Results: 53.6% of the participants are women, the majority of university students belong to health sciences careers (21.3%). Women more predisposed to have more severe stress, depression and anxiety, compared to men. The IAS questionnaire score was significantly higher in those studying veterinary and health sciences. The categories of eating behavior: needs changes and unhealthy are risk factors for the presence of anxiety. There is a negative relationship between IAS and DASS-21. Conclusions: Eating behavior is associated with the presence of stress, depression and anxiety in students from two private universities in Metropolitan Lima in 2021.