Prevalence and Correlates of Food Addiction among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: The Role of Stress and Body Mass Index

Background and Aim: Food addiction (FA) is increasingly recognized as a possible cause of obesity and disordered eating, especially in young adults. In the UAE, rapid shifts in food culture and the elevated stress levels among college students may influence FA prevalence. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of FA among 392 UAE university students and its relationships to stress, age, gender and BMI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 university students in the UAE between September 2024 and January 2025. Participants completed a validated online questionnaire that included the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: The overall prevalence of FA was 9.9%. No significant associations were found between FA and age, gender, or marital status. Although not statistically significant, FA was more common among obese students (16.2%). Students with severe stress (25%) had a significantly higher prevalence of FA than those with mild stress (3.6%) or moderate stress (9.2%) (p = 0.014). Food addiction scores were significantly positively correlated with age (r = 0.101, p = 0.047), stress levels (r = 0.229, p < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.258, p < 0.001). Conclusion: FA affects a considerable percentage of UAE university students and is strongly correlated with stress and BMI. Results highlight the necessity of focused programs addressing young adults' eating habits and mental health.