Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and Their Impact on Eating Behaviors of Healthcare Workers: A First Study Conducted in a South American Country

Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress can profoundly influence eating behaviors, potentially resulting in maladaptive patterns or eating disorders. Aims: This is the first study conducted in a South American country to examine the impact of depression, anxiety, and stress on maladaptive eating behaviors among healthcare workers. It also aims to identify additional contributing factors—including sociodemographic, academic, occupational, anthropometric, lifestyle, and physical and mental health variables—that may influence these behaviors. Methods: A total of 518 Paraguayan healthcare workers were assessed using the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire–R18 (TFEQ-R18), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: The findings revealed elevated prevalence rates of depression (50.8%), anxiety (47.9%), and stress (47.5%) among participants. Individuals presenting with psychopathological symptoms scored significantly higher on the TFEQ-R18 subscales, indicating that mental health conditions were associated with increased levels of uncontrolled and emotional eating. Conclusions: This study underscores the complex interplay between mental health and eating behaviors in healthcare professionals and highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions that address both psychological well-being and nutritional habits.