Emotional eating behaviors in later life: Identifying key factors for healthy aging

Abstract

Background: Pathological, physiological, and psychosocial factors could influence the eating behaviors of older adults in Egypt. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should understand this complex interaction to effectively address their nutritional issues. This study aimed to identify the predictors of emotional eating behaviors among older adults. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional survey. A probability sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected using the Emotional Eating Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scales. Results: 98 % of the respondents were identified as moderate or severe emotional eaters. The study found a significant positive correlation between perceived stress and emotional eating behaviors (r = .436; p = .000). Multivariate analysis revealed that perceived stress, age, gender, marital status, and body mass index (BMI) have a significant positive relationship with emotional eating behaviors (p < .001), accounting for 39.3 % of the variation. Conclusion: Emotional eating is common among older adults and is influenced by factors such as age, gender, marital status, BMI, and perceived stress. Nurses can use these findings to develop nutritional plans to promote healthy eating habits of this population.