A medical student from Bahrain has shared the results of a new study at a conference in Qatar.
Mohammed Al Balooshi, a fifth year student at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) College of Medicine and Health Sciences, presented the research, ‘The Association between Snacking Behaviours and Stress among Adults’, at the High Risk and Critical Care Obstetrics Conference 2025, in Doha.
The event brought together experts, researchers and specialists in healthcare from across the globe to explore the latest advances in obstetrics, gynaecology and the management of high-risk pregnancies and childbirth.
The research found that snacking is a common behaviour among Omani adults, with 43.4 per cent of participants reporting consuming snacks more than once daily, particularly in the evening (77.3pc) and at night (53.4pc).
Findings indicated that fruits and vegetables were among the most preferred healthy options, while Omani sweets were among the most popular traditional snacks.
It also showed high levels of stress among participants, with 66.1pc reporting moderate stress and 11.8pc reporting high stress. Financial pressures were identified as the most common cause of stress (58.6pc).
The study found a clear association between higher stress levels and increased frequency of snacking.
Individuals who consumed snacks more than once a day were 57.6pc more likely to report high stress. These findings highlight the importance of raising health awareness, encouraging the adoption of effective stress management strategies and committing to healthy dietary choices.
The study was supervised by Health Ministry Public Health Directorate Disease Control head and Epidemiology and Public Health consultant Dr Adel Al Sayyad.
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