Study on Students’ Eating Behavior and Some Influencing Factors
- VernacularTitle:Оюутнуудын хооллолтын зан үйл ба түүнд нөлөөлж буй хүчин зүйлсийн судалгаа
- Author:
Zolzaya B
1
;
Altanchimeg D
1
;
Ser-Od KH
2
;
Khandmaa S
3
;
Darambazar G
4
Author Information
1. Department of Social Work and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, MNUMS
2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, MNUMS
3. Division for Undergraduate Education Policy and Management, MNUMS
4. School of Biomedicine, MNUMS
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Sleep;
Depression;
Anxiety;
Stress;
Impulsivity
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2025;85(1):96-101
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Backround:The university period is a unique phase in students’ lives, often marked by independent living, changes in
lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, increased psychological stress, and the development of unhealthy behaviors. Among students, particularly those studying in the medical field, research on dietary habits and influencing factors is scarce in our
country, which serves as the rationale for this study.
Aim:The aim of this study is to investigate the dietary habits of medical students and the factors influencing them, including sleep, impulsivity, depression, anxiety, and stress.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 students from years 1 to 6 across 7 schools of
the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS). Data were collected using internationally standardized and validated questionnaires, including the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised-18 (TFEQ-R18), the Short
UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale-20 (SUPPS-P-20), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0.
Results: In terms of eating behavior, uncontrolled eating (UE) and cognitive restraint (CR) were similar between male
and female students, while emotional eating (EE) was more prevalent among male students. Students’ eating behaviors
were associated with body mass index (BMI). As BMI increased, levels of depression, anxiety, and stress also tended to
rise. Sensation-seeking and positive urgency were higher among female students. Overall, 83.5% of students had poor
sleep quality, which contributed to increased depression, anxiety, stress, and impulsivity. Psychological burden and impulsivity were independent of the field of study but decreased as students progressed through their academic years, while
sleep quality improved.
Conclusion:The dietary habits of medical students were similar across genders but varied by academic year and field
of study. Poor sleep quality, observed in 83.5% of students, was associated with increased depression, anxiety, stress,
and impulsivity. Psychological burden and impulsivity were unrelated to the field of study but decreased with advancing
academic years, alongside improved sleep quality. As BMI increased, cognitive restraint in eating behaviors decreased.
- Full text:202505271455290467196-101.pdf
