ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) evaluate the prevalence and predictors of perceived depression, anxiety, stress (DAS) levels and emotional eating behaviours, (2) determine the correlations between DAS levels and emotional eating behaviours during the pandemic. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional study included questions about demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary habits, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. The snowball sampling method was used. SETTING: Turkiye. PARTICIPANTS: The study population was 2002 adults aged ≥18 years. RESULT: The mean age was 27.1±9.52 years (72.1% females, 27.9% males). The prevalence of moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress was reported as 27.8%, 30.5%, and 30.7%, respectively. Skipping meals (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.14-1.49) was associated with depression. Weight gain (OR=1.43, 95% CI =1.19-1.66; OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.14-1.49; OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.14-1.64), weight loss (OR=1.45, 95% CI = 1.20-1.70; OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.11-1.62; OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.20-1.72), exercising at least 150 minutes per week (OR=0.64, 95% CI = 0.46- 0.83; OR= 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55-0.92; OR=0.83, 95% CI =0.63-1.02), and maintaining an adequate and balanced diet (OR=0.52, 95% Cl=0.33-0.71; OR=0.53, 95% CI =0.34-0.73; OR=0.63, 95% CI =-0.15-0.35) were associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Body mass index (r=0.169, p<0.001), weight (r=0.152, p<0.001), number of snacks (r=0.102, p=0.011), depression (r=0.060, p=0.007), anxiety (r=0.061, p=0.006), and stress (r=0.073, p=0.001) levels were positively correlated with EMAQ-negative scores. CONCLUSION: Approximately one out of every three participants reported moderate to severe DAS levels. Emotional eating was significantly correlated with perceived DAS. The predictors obtained in the study suggest that a healthy diet and lifestyle behaviours are part of psychological well-being and emotional eating.