Emotional Eating among Ghanaian University Students: Associations with Physical and Mental Health Measures

Adjepong, Mary; Amoah-Agyei, Felicity; Du, Chen; Fenton, Jenifer I.; Tucker, Robin M.

doi:10.3390/nu15061526

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…These results partially support the notion that emotional eating manifests differently in men and women [17]. It is well-established that women show a greater propensity for emotional eating in response to negative emotions, including feelings of anxiety, anger, frustration, and depression [55,58,59].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

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Psychological Inflexibility in Spanish Adults: Characteristics of Emotional Eating and the Healthy Eating Index

Arbinaga,

Mendoza-Sierra,

Martínez-García

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The aim is to understand the relationship between psychological inflexibility, emotional eating, and the rate of healthy eating. A total of 705 Spanish adults participated (65.2% women); the mean age was 27.21 years (SD = 10.67). The instruments used were Acceptance and Action Ques-tionnaire, Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire and the Healthy Eating Index for the Spanish population. The women showed significantly higher scores in psychological inflexibility than men (p < .001). No differences have been described in the Emotional Eating scale (p = .085) differences have been reported on the Self-efficacy in Emotion -and Stress-Related Eating subscale, where men do better at managing eating (p < .001). Females indicate better diet quality (p < .001). Those who show less psychological inflexibility obtain emotional eating scores indicative of less coping with emotions through food (p < .001). Groups formed according to psychological inflexibility do not differ in diet quality (p = .898). The importance of psychological inflexibility is due to its role and strong association with a variety of problems related to eating behavior, but especially because it is a construct that can be intervened upon and modified.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…In addition, emotional eating is manifest differently in men and women. In men, it has been associated with body mass index and uncontrolled eating; however, in women, emotional eating has been linked to uncontrolled eating, anxiety, and poor sleep quality [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Inflexibility in Spanish Adults: Characteristics of Emotional Eating and the Healthy Eating Index

Arbinaga,

Mendoza-Sierra,

Martínez-García

et al. 2023

Preprint

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show abstract

“…GAD-7 scores are positively correlated with Hunger (Emotional Eating) (r = 0.311, p < 0.001) and Disinhibition (Uncontrolled Eating) (r = 0.245, p < 0.001) [ 26 ]. Another study on 129 Ghanaian students reveals a positive correlation between screening positively for anxiety with GAD-7 and Emotional Eating (r = 0.471, p < 0.001), but only for female participants [ 30 ]. Similar to depression, anxiety, and perceived stress affect individuals with obesity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maladaptive Eating Behaviours, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression Severity: A Comparative Study between Adult Women with Overweight, Obesity, and Normal Body Mass Index Range

Witaszek,

Babicki,

Brytek-Matera

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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(1) Background: Causes of obesity are multifactorial and include genetic predisposition as well as behavioural, psychological, social, and hormonal influences. We aimed to compare adult women with normal weight, overweight, and obesity, with a focus on maladaptive eating behaviours, the presence of generalised anxiety disorder, and the severity of depression. Additionally, we explored the context of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy and the status of bariatric surgery. (2) Methods: The sample was composed of 1105 adult women. The following measures, through the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI), were used in the present study: the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18), the 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-7), and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). (3) Results: All domains of the TFEQ-R18 had correlations with Body Mass Index (BMI). There was a weak negative association between BMI and Cognitive Restraint (r = −0.172, p < 0.001) and a weak positive relationship between BMI and Uncontrolled as well as Emotional Eating (r = 0.165, p < 0.001; r = 0.191, p < 0.001, respectively). Women who screened positive for anxiety scored lower in the Cognitive Restraint domain (10.11 ± 3.58, p = 0.042) and higher in the Uncontrolled Eating (12.69 ± 6.04, p < 0.001) and Emotional Eating (5.29 ± 2.75, p < 0.001) domains. Similarly, women screening positive for depression had lower scores in Cognitive Restraint (9.88 ± 3.61, p < 0.001) and higher scores in Uncontrolled Eating (12.64 ± 6.09, p < 0.001) and Emotional Eating (5.31 ± 2.71, p < 0.001). A significant association between liraglutide and semaglutide administration and Cognitive Restraint was observed. (4) Conclusions: Individualised treatment for obesity should consider the existing and confirmed association between maladaptive eating behaviours and generalised anxiety disorder, as well as the severity of depression influencing the BMI altogether. The use of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy needs further exploration because the evidence for the use of liraglutide and semaglutide in terms of positive associations with eating behaviours is encouraging.

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Index of healthy eating and emotional eating in relation to psychological inflexibility in dance students

Arbinaga,

Mendoza-Sierra,

Fernández-Acosta

2024

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

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Dance places significant physical and cognitive demands on both students and professionals. These demands increase dancers’ susceptibility to a variety of problems. Between them, the prevalence of eating disorders in dancers of various dance genres is significant. In this context, emotional eating is a common problem among people struggling with weight issues. On the other hand, a construct that has been shown to be relevant is Psychological inflexibility. Psychological flexibility refers to the possibility of fully embracing unpleasant private events in the present, without attempting to modify them. The aim of this paper is to determine the different components of emotional eating and the healthy eating index as a function of psychological inflexibility in dance students. This was a cross-sectional study using non-probabilistic sampling. One hundred fourteen dance students enrolled in conservatories or dance schools participated in the study. Evaluations were conducted using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Healthy Eating Index for the Spanish population, and the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire. Data were collected in person and online format. No differences in psychological inflexibility were observed between men and women. While women showed greater utilization of food to regulate emotions, they did not differ from men in scores on the healthy eating index. Students with high psychological inflexibility reported greater utilization of food as a regulator of emotions. No differences were found in healthy eating according to psychological inflexibility. It is recommended to transform dance conservatories into healthy spaces by promoting habits that facilitate students’ well-being. Faculties can help in the pursuit of excellence by aligning performance goals with research findings and improving holistic care.

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Emotional Eating among Ghanaian University Students: Associations with Physical and Mental Health Measures

Cited by 5 publications

References 56 publications

Psychological Inflexibility in Spanish Adults: Characteristics of Emotional Eating and the Healthy Eating Index

Psychological Inflexibility in Spanish Adults: Characteristics of Emotional Eating and the Healthy Eating Index

Maladaptive Eating Behaviours, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression Severity: A Comparative Study between Adult Women with Overweight, Obesity, and Normal Body Mass Index Range

Index of healthy eating and emotional eating in relation to psychological inflexibility in dance students

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