Abstract

This research aims to enhance understanding of how picky eating impacts the mental health and eating habits of college students aged 18-30, an area with limited exploration in adult populations. Picky eating behaviours in adults are associated with increased psychosocial dysfunction, limited dietary diversity, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. Drawing from studies on food avoidance and approach profiles in children, researchers sought to identify specific eating patterns among university students. Through a cross-sectional survey, participants completed assessments on picky eating, binge eating, inflexible eating, anxiety, depression, stress, and OCD symptoms. Positive correlations emerged between picky eating and various disordered eating behaviours including bingeing, dietary restriction, eating anxieties, and overall eating pathology, along with other psychological factors. Mediation analyses explored whether negative psychological correlates mediated the relationship between picky eating and eating disorders, particularly inflexible eating behaviours. Results indicated associations between increased picky eating and heightened worry and anxiety symptoms. However, interactions among picky eating and negative psychological factors did not fully explain variations in bingeing, dietary restriction, and overall eating pathology. These findings shed light on the complex interplay between picky eating and mental health outcomes among college students, highlighting the need for further research to better understand and address these issues.