THE IMPACT OF WORK-RELATED STRESS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BINGE EATING DISORDER AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

Abstract

Background: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a prevalent and under-recognized eating disorder associated with psychological distress and maladaptive coping. Healthcare professionals are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational stress, which may increase their vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors, including BED. This study aimed to explore the relationship between work-related stress, emotional exhaustion and the risk of developing binge eating symptoms among healthcare professionals in Italy.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and July 2024 among 312 healthcare professionals. Participants completed a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, stress-related variables, the Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES).

Results: The sample was predominantly female (81.7%) with a mean age of 37.6 years. Twenty percent reported a history of eating disorders and 60.3% reported stress or anxiety. Significant associations were found between BES scores and stress-related variables, including anxiety, emotional exhaustion, eating during work breaks and vending machine use (p< 0.005). Higher BES scores were correlated with burnout symptoms such as fatigue, emotional drain and inability to cope. A strong association also emerged between BES scores and the perceived impact of stress on eating habits.

Conclusions: Work-related stress and burnout symptoms are significantly associated with binge eating tendencies among healthcare professionals. Preventive strategies - such as institutional stress management programs and access to healthy food - are essential to promote well-being and prevent maladaptive eating behaviors in high-stress healthcare environments.