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

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry
• Eating Disorders

Background:

• Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a common eating disorder linked to distress and poor coping mechanisms.
• Healthcare professionals face high occupational stress, potentially increasing BED risk.
• This study investigated the link between work stress, burnout, and BED symptoms in Italian healthcare workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between work-related stress and emotional exhaustion.
• To assess the risk of developing binge eating symptoms among healthcare professionals.
• To identify factors contributing to disordered eating in a high-stress occupational group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 312 healthcare professionals in Italy.
• Data collected included sociodemographic information, stress indicators, and validated scales for emotional exhaustion (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and binge eating (Binge Eating Scale).

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between higher Binge Eating Scale scores and increased stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and maladaptive eating behaviors during work.
• Burnout symptoms like fatigue and emotional drain were correlated with binge eating tendencies.
• Perceived stress significantly impacted participants' eating habits.

Conclusions:

• Work-related stress and burnout symptoms are strongly linked to binge eating tendencies in healthcare professionals.
• Implementing institutional stress management programs and promoting access to healthy food options are crucial.
• Preventive measures are essential to support well-being and mitigate disordered eating in demanding healthcare settings.