P19 Emotion- and Stress-Related Eating is Related to Weight Status Among College Students

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping proposes that stress occurs when one perceives that a particular stressor outweighs one's resources to cope. Emotion- and stress-related eating may be used as a measure to cope, which can lead to an increase in caloric intake and weight gain. <h3>Objective</h3> The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between constructs of The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and weight status among college students. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Six hundred and ninety college students participated in an online survey. <h3>Outcome Measure/Analysis</h3> The survey included the Emotion- and Stress-related Eating and the Appraisal of Ability and Resources to Cope sub-scales from the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), self-report of height and weight, and demographic questions. Responses were captured on a 5 point Likert scale where lower scores represent greater emotion- and stress-related eating, lower appraisal of skills and resources to cope, and less stress. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the relationship between weight status and emotion- and stress-related eating, appraisal of resources to cope, and PSS while adjusting for demographics. <h3>Results</h3> In univariate analysis, when compared with healthy weight students, overweight/obese students had significantly lower Emotion-and Stress-related Eating scores (3.3 ± 0.7 vs 3.7 ± 0.8, <i>P</i> < .001) but similar PSS (17.4 ± 6.2 vs 16.9 ± 6.2, <i>P</i> = .23) and appraisal scores (3.6 ± 0.7 vs 3.7 ± 0.7, <i>P</i> = .10). After adjusting for demographics, overweight/obese individuals had significantly lower Emotion- and Stress-related Eating scores than their healthy weight counterparts regardless of perceived stress and appraisal to cope with stress (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.28-0.49). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Overweight and obese college students report more emotion- and stress-related eating compared to normal weight students; however, their perceived stress levels were similar. Emotion- and stress-related eating should be included in educational interventions.