Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of social, emotional, and economic factors on shaping the eating behavior of university students by understanding the interconnected roles of family, community, mood, and living conditions in guiding their food choices. The results show significant differences across most variables, with the highest distribution within middle-income families (54.85%) and low-income families (53.19%). The mean BMI was 26.07, with significant correlations with weight and age. Social influence on eating behavior was moderate (M = 0.44), with the highest influence being social support (0.88) and the lowest influence being social pressure (0.20). The proportion of males in the household had a significant influence, with the highest means being found among small families, working families, and individuals with a low proportion of males. The influence of mood was low (M = 2.28), with a slight increase in taste-driven eating (2.43). No statistically significant differences were recorded between demographic and economic variables, except for a slight correlation with family size, with large families recording the highest mean (2.33). The economic impact was moderate (M=0.61), with rising prices of healthy foods being the main factor (0.81). Employment and income variables recorded significant effects, with the highest means appearing in large families (0.58), working families (0.59), and low-income families (0.63), indicating increased economic pressures with limited resources. Statistically significant positive relationships were found between the social index, age, and weight, and negative relationships with the mood index for age, weight, and height. The economic index was positively correlated with both age and weight. The study recommends strengthening family and community support, providing affordable, healthy food, and adopting policies that take into account individual and demographic differences in students’ eating behavior.

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