Perception of emotional eating in nursing students: a mixed-methods study

Objective: To assess the perception and prevalence of emotional eating among nursing students in order to design participatory and tailored strategies for a nursing school. Method: A mixed-methods approach was used, including an online self-administered questionnaire, a “World Café” focus group, and a community forum to design community nursing strategies. Results: A total of 95.7% of students identified as emotional eaters, demonstrating awareness of the concept, triggers, and consequences of emotional eating. The primary actions proposed included the establishment of nutrition and psychology offices within the nursing school. Conclusion: Assessing needs and involving students in the research process is essential for designing strategies to address the issue of emotional eating.