The Associations between Emotional Eating and Consumption of Energy-Dense Snack Foods Are Modified by Sex and Depressive Symptomatology

Abstract

In recent years, emotional eating (EmE) has incited substantial research interest as an important psychologic determinant of food intake and overweight. However, little is known about factors that might modulate its relations with dietary habits. The objective of this study was to examine the association between EmE and consumption of energy-dense snack food and assess the 2-way interaction of EmE with sex and depressive symptoms. A total of 7378 men and 22,862 women from the NutriNet-Santé cohort (France, 2009-2013) who completed ≥6 self-reported 24-h food records were included in this cross-sectional analysis. EmE was evaluated via the revised 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The associations between EmE and energy-dense food consumption were assessed by multivariable logistic and linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Higher EmE was associated with higher consumption of energy-dense snacks and, in particular, with consumption of sweet-and-fatty foods across most categories studied. However, these associations were stronger in women with depressive symptoms (e.g., high consumption of chocolate, OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.43, 2.20; cakes/biscuits/pastries, OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.26) compared with those without depressive symptoms (e.g., high consumption of chocolate, OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.69; cakes/biscuits/pastries, OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.61). In contrast, the significant positive associations observed in men without depressive symptoms (e.g., high consumption of chocolate, OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.52; cakes/biscuits/pastries, OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.48) were not found in men with depressive symptoms. In conclusion, in women, EmE was positively associated with consumption of energy-dense snack food, particularly in those with depressive symptoms. For men, the relation between EmE and energy-dense snack foods was found only in those without depressive symptoms. These findings call for consideration of the psychologic state when targeting unhealthy dietary habits, especially in women. This trial was registered at eudract.ema.europa.eu as 2013-000929-31.

Role of food preoccupation and current dieting in the associations of parental feeding practices to emotional eating in young adults: A moderated mediation study

“…Parental restriction and using food to influence children's behaviors or regulate their emotions (i.e., emotional regulation feeding; Vaughn et al, 2016) during childhood are also associated with emotional eating in college students (Galloway, Farrow, & Martz, 2010;Tan, Ruhl, Chow, & Ellis, 2016). These findings are concerning, given evidence that emotional eating relates to increased fatty food intake and higher body mass index in adults (Camilleri et al, 2014;Cartwright et al, 2003;Konttinen, Mannisto, Sarlio-Lahteenkorva, Silventoinen, & Haukkala, 2010;van Strien, Herman, & Verheijden, 2012).…”

Snack Food, Satiety, and Weight

“…For example, Wouters et al (14) found that snacking and soft drink intake was more prevalent in boys and less-educated youth. In addition, emotional eaters and individuals under psychological stress have been found to consume higher amounts of energy-dense snacks, particularly sweet and fatty snacks (15). Moreover, knowledge about healthful snacks and self-efficacy in choosing the "right" snacks are important determinants of snacking behavior (16).…”

The role of emotion regulation in childhood obesity: implications for prevention and treatment

“…Emotional eating leads to an unhealthier diet since it is suggested that food with high energy density can ameliorate negative affect or stress (89) . As a result, emotional eating increases the intake of sweet and fatty foods, or 'comfort food' (90)(91)(92) . In experimental studies, emotional eaters have been found to consume more sweet and fatty foods (93)(94)(95) in response to stress.…”