Academic Stress and Mindless Eating: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Association between Academic Stress and Eating Behaviors among Nursing Students in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The academic and career stress has various negative effects on student’s physical and mental health. Food consumption without hunger is one of the consequences occurs from academic stress. Nursing students who have academic as well as rigorous clinical duties stress are more prone to adapt mindless eating behavior.

Objectives: To determine the association between academic stress and mindless eating behaviors among undergraduate nursing students.

Methodology: A cross-sectional (analytical) study design was conducted among 203 nursing students at Jinnah College of Nursing (November 2025- January 2026). Academic Stress Inventory  and Mindful Eating Behavior Scale  were used. Spearman correlation , linear and multiple regression test applied to evaluate relationships.

Result: The 203 participants  Mindful eating behavior showed a moderate negative relation with academic stress (r = -0.552 ). There were also significant negative correlations between mindful eating and various academic variables of stress such as the role stress of teachers (r = −0.546), relationship stress (r = -0.570), and test stress (r = -0.508).

Conclusion: The mindful eating  and academic stress of nursing students are moderately negatively correlated. High stress was linked to reduced mindful eating, which underscores the possible benefit of mindful eating activities on enhancing student well-being in nursing programs.