A Cross-Sectional Study on Emotional Eating and Its Influencing Factors Among Clinical Nurses

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of emotional eating and the influencing factors among clinical nurses in China.

Background: Emotions are closely associated with eating behaviours, and individuals' coping mechanisms for various emotions may manifest in their eating habits. Emotional eating may harm nurses' physical and mental health, ultimately affecting the quality of care.

Design: This is a cross-sectional survey study.

Methods: An online survey was conducted among clinical nurses in a tertiary hospital in China from September to November 2023 using a convenience sampling method. A basic demographic questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were used.

Results: A total of 785 nurses participated and reported an overall emotional eating score of 12.08 (standard deviation = 4.63); 296 (37.7%) were in the high emotional eating group. Female gender, age 20-30 years, higher body mass index, work in the intensive care unit, family financial contribution ≤ 10 000 RMB, poor sleep quality and anxiety were risk factors for emotional eating among clinical nurses.

Conclusion: The study highlights a prevalent issue of emotional eating among clinical nurses, indicating a pressing need for timely intervention to improve physical and mental health.

Keywords: eating behaviours; emotional eating; influencing factors; intensive care; nurses; sleep.