The Impact of COVID-19-Related Stress on Diet and Eating Behaviors in US College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the US population, including college students, to stress posing challenges to psychological and behavioral health. Previous studies have demonstrated that stress can promote unhealthy eating behaviors among college students. This study aimed to examine the relationships of pandemic-related stress with changes in diet and eating behaviors experienced by college students during the Fall 2020 semester. Methods 758 college students in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US completed an online survey in November 2020. The survey assessed multiple dimensions of pandemic-related stress, diet, and eating behaviors, as well as measures of psychological health and social support. Results Pandemic-related stress, particularly academic stress, was correlated with less healthy dietary profiles and potentially maladaptive eating behaviors, including emotional eating and late-night eating. Associations between stress and dietary intake were stronger in females than males, whereas males showed stronger associations between stress and food responsiveness. Pandemic-related stress was associated with perceived changes in diet quality, frequency of eating, and amount of food consumed compared to since before the semester started. Conclusion Academic stress during the pandemic had a negative impact on diet and eating behaviors among college students. Our results argue for interventions targeting academic stress in everyday contexts as well as potential future public health crises, to prevent negative impacts on students’ eating profiles that may in turn negatively impact health.