Examining the Impact of Stress Induced Eating on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasingly recognized among university students, particularly in association with psychological stress and unhealthy dietary behaviors. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 190 university students in Mardan to assess the relationship between stress, stress-induced eating behaviors, and GERD symptoms. The sample comprised 57.9% females and 42.1% males, with the majority (66.8%) aged 21–24 years and 84.2% undergraduates. Stress frequency assessment revealed that 36.8% of participants sometimes experienced stress, while 38.4% reported frequent heartburn and 40.6% reported occasional bloating after stress-induced eating. Skipping meals (42.6%) was the most common stress-related eating behavior, followed by increased intake of caffeine (37.4%) and spicy foods (31.1%). Nearly half of the participants (48.9%) reported daily consumption of paratha, and 31.6% frequently consumed carbonated beverages. A considerable proportion reported that stress-induced eating significantly (15.8%) or somewhat (37.9%) worsened their GERD symptoms. The findings demonstrate a notable association between psychological stress, unhealthy dietary practices, and GERD symptom occurrence among university students. Targeted interventions focusing on stress management and dietary modification may help reduce GERD-related burden in this population.