Factors affecting emotional eating and eating palatable food in adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to determine the relationship among emotional eating behavior, tendency to eat palatable foods, and several risk factors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was carried out on 2,434 persons (1,736 women and 698 men) aged between 19 and 64 years. A questionnaire form was used as a data collection tool, which consisted of items for the socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ), and the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS). RESULTS: A positive significant correlation was observed between the BMI groups and the negative emotions, negative situations, and negative total scores of EMAQ (P < 0.01). The regression results on negative subscales showed that a one unit increase in BMI resulted in a 0.293 unit increase in negative situations scores, a 0.626 unit increase in negative emotions scores, and a 0.919 unit increase in negative total EMAQ scores. When the BMI groups and PEMS subscale scores were examined, a significant relationship was found in the social motives, rewarding, and conformity subscales (P < 0.01). A one unit increase in BMI increased the coping motives scores by 0.077 units. CONCLUSION:The emotional states have a significant effect on the eating behavior. On the other hand, an increase in eating attacks was observed, particularly in people who were under the effect of a negative emotion or situation. Nevertheless, there were some limitations of the study in terms of quantitative determination of the effects of this eating behavior depending on the BMI.

The effect of sociodemographic characteristics of university students on emotional eating behavior

“…Also in the studies, it has been determined that there is a positive correlation between emotional eating and body mass index 4,12,13 . In their study, Bilici et al, 2 found that emotional eating was correlated with body mass index and obesity. Depending on body mass index increasing as a result of weight gain, individuals experience more stress, and thus emotional eating is believed to increase.…”

“…Individuals displaying emotional eating behavior eat for the sake of their motives outside hunger. They usually continue to eat in emotional situations 2 . Positive (cheerful, energetic, enthusiastic, etc) and negative (anxious, angry, tired, etc) emotions affect our psychological state 3 .…”

“…They usually continue to eat in emotional situations. 2 Positive (cheerful, energetic, enthusiastic, etc) and negative (anxious, angry, tired, etc) emotions affect our psychological state. 3 It is indicated that emotions cause increases or decreases in appetite and food intake by 30% to 48%.…”

Physical and Psychological Effects Related to Food Habits and Lifestyle Changes Derived from COVID-19 Home Confinement in the Spanish Population

“…We observed that 21.8% and 11% of participants were classified as emotional eaters and very emotional eaters, respectively. Individuals with emotional eating behavior can eat for reasons other than hunger, increasing the intake of palatable foods [ 57 , 58 ].…”

Physical and psychological effects related to food habits and lifestyle changes derived from Covid-19 home confinement Spanish population.

“…We observed that 21.8% and 11% of participants were classified as emotional eater and very emotional eater, respectively. Individuals with emotional eating behaviour could eaten for motives other than hunger increasing the intake of palatable foods [57,58] .…”