Background and Aim: Obesity has reached alarming levels globally and across the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, approximately one-third of Saudi adults have obesity, representing a major public health concern. Understanding behavioral factors underlying obesity is essential; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between eating styles and obesity indicators among Saudi adults and to examine gender differences in these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 997 adult (405 males and 592 females) aged ≥ 18 years residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, health status. Eating behaviors were assessed using the validated Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), which measures restrained, emotional, and external eating styles. Regression models were used to examine gender differences in mean eating style scores and to assess associations between eating styles, categorical BMI, and body fatness. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.05 ± 13.39 years. Significant gender differences were observed in BMI, body fatness, and physical activity levels. Females demonstrated higher restrained eating scores compared with males (β = −0.14; 95% CI: −0.24, −0.04; p = 0.008). Participants with obesity exhibited higher emotional eating scores, while external eating was more prevalent among underweight participants. Body fatness was significantly associated with emotional and external eating but not restrained eating. Conclusions: BMI status appears to be associated with specific eating styles, particularly unhealthy eating behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of behavioral-focused nutritional interventions that support eating regulation rather than emphasizing weight loss alone.

Background: Academic stress has been linked to unhealthy coping behaviors such as emotional eating. This study examined the association between academic stress and emotional eating behavior among postgraduate students at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of postgraduate students. Data were collected using an online, self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, Grade Point Average (GPA), Students’ Stress Inventory (SSI), and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ). Results: The sample included 505 postgraduate students (85.9% female). Approximately 50% of participants experienced moderate academic stress, and 46% were emotional eaters. Academic stress was significantly associated with female students ( P < 0.001), lower income levels ( P = 0.007), and low levels of physical activity ( P = 0.007). A statistically significant positive association was observed between academic stress and emotional eating ( P < 0.001). Students with severe academic stress had significantly higher odds of being more severe emotional eaters (OR = 7.382, 95% CI [3.777, 14.43], P < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for demographic, psychological, and lifestyle factors (adjusted OR = 6.633, 95% CI [3.294, 13.343], P < 0.001). However, the moderation analysis indicated that sex did not significantly modify the association between academic stress and emotional eating. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of implementing stress management and nutrition interventions to help postgraduate students adopt healthier coping strategies to manage academic stress.