ACADEMIC STRESS AND EATING BEHAVIOR IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Entering higher education involves academic, social and emotional changes that may increase perceived stress and negatively affect students' eating behavior. This study aimed to analyze scientific evidence on the association between academic stress and eating behavior among university students. This is an integrative literature review conducted according to PRISMA recommendations. Searches were carried out in PubMed and the CAPES Periodicals Portal, considering articles published between 2021 and April 2026 in Portuguese and English. After applying the eligibility criteria, 21 studies were included in the final sample. The results indicated that academic stress was associated with poorer diet quality, higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, meal skipping, emotional eating and episodes of uncontrolled eating. Barriers such as lack of time, financial limitations, low culinary skills, living alone and limited nutritional knowledge worsened this scenario. Greater vulnerability was also observed among women, with a higher frequency of emotional eating and restrictive behaviors. It is concluded that academic stress is associated with unfavorable changes in the eating behavior of university students, highlighting the need for integrated institutional strategies aimed at mental health promotion, food and nutrition education and improvement of the university food environment.