The effect of emotional eating on body weight and eating habits in adults

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of emotional nutrition on body weight and eating habits in adults. 2461 volunteers between the ages of 18-and 65 (40.7±13.6 years) participated in this cross-sectional study (M=677, F=1784). Research data were collected with a face-to-face questionnaire. The participants' nutritional habits and status were evaluated with the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) and a 24-hour dietary recall form. The “International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire - Short Form” was used to determine the physical activity level of individuals. Body mass index was calculated by measuring height and body weight. At the end of the study, it was found that 34.5% of the participants were overweight, and 25.1% were obese. The uncontrolled eating and hunger score were significantly higher, whereas it was low in cognitive restraint in individuals who consumed grains as much or more than recommended (p<0.05). And higher cognitive restraint score was found in those who stated that they consumed the milk and dairy products, vegetable and fruit groups as much or more than recommended and the grains less than recommended (p<0.05). In addition, dietary disinhibition (OR=1.142, 95% CI=1.097-1.189), cognitive restriction (OR=1.076, 95% CI=1.050-1.103) and fasting (OR=1.084, 95% CI=1.033-1.137) scores of TEFQ sub-factors been shown to significantly increase the risk of being overweight/obese (p<0.001). These results show that emotional eating has a significant effect on body weight. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach is required to evaluate the effect of diet therapy and nutrition on the patient and take into account the patient's emotional state, especially in the treatment and control of obesity.