FACTOR STRUCTURE OF EATING BEHAVIORS: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EATING BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The study described in this article was conducted to identify the psychological and social factors shaping eating behaviors among medical students in Azerbaijan and to systematically examine the mechanisms of interaction between these factors using factor analysis. Eating behaviors are influenced by psychological, social, and cultural determinants, and unhealthy food choices may contribute to an increased risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. The aim of this research was to understand eating behaviors among medical university students in Azerbaijan and to determine their psychological and social determinants. A total of 200 medical students aged 18–30 years were included in the study. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and the data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The factor analysis revealed four main factors explaining 65,7% of the total variation: healthy eating, harmful eating habits, environmental influences, and psychological factors. Despite the high prevalence of healthy eating behaviors, emotional eating and the influence of social media play a significant role in students' eating patterns. According to the authors, psychological and social influences play an essential role in shaping the eating behaviors of medical students. These findings could be useful in planning public health interventions aimed at improving eating habits among young people.