Higher Emotional Eating Research Articles

Factors associated with emotional eating in female college students

PurposeEmotions affect food intake and food choice. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, eating habits and anthropometric measurements and negative and positive emotional eating.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 343 female college students 18–24 years of age. Data were collected using the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ). Anthropometric measurements were obtained (height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, neck, mid-upper arm, waist and hip circumference). Sociodemographic factors and lifestyle and eating habits were questioned. Generalized linear models were used to identify each EMAQ score.FindingsWhile high body mass index (BMI) was associated with high negative emotional eating scores, low BMI was related to high positive emotional/situation eating scores (p < 0.01). There was no relationship between waist circumferences (p = 0.09), triceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.09) and negative emotional eating. Participants consuming vegetables and fruit = 5 portions/day had higher negative emotional eating scores, regardless of BMI (p = 0.04). Smokers (p < 0.01) and participants doing regular physical activity (p = 0.02) had lower positive emotional eating scores.Research limitations/implicationsNegative emotional eating was related to higher BMI but not adiposity. Active female participants were less likely to eat in response to positive emotions.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies examining positive emotion scores from many aspects. The authors also investigated the association between emotional eating and anthropometric measurements by using different methods, including neck and mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness.

Eating behaviors and dietary intake 2 to 4 years following sleeve gastrectomy: Are there any associations?

ObjectivesA lack of research exists on associations between eating behaviors and dietary intake among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. This study aimed to ascertain the association between eating behaviors and dietary quantity and quality at mid-term postsleeve gastrectomy (SG). MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 146 adults within 2 to 4 years post-SG. Dietary intake and eating behaviors were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, respectively. Energy and the proportion of macronutrients were determined. Carbohydrate quality index (CQI), fat quality index (FQI), healthy plate protein quality index (HPPQI), macronutrient quality index (MQI), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 were computed to evaluate diet quality. Participants were categorized into high and low groups based on median scores for each eating behavior scale. Least-squared (geometric) means and 95% confidence intervals were determined for each group using the analysis of covariance, adjusted for age and sex. ResultsThe mean time since surgery for participants was 30.8 ± 6.5 months, and 77.4% were female. Participants with high emotional eating had higher energy and HPPQI. Individuals with high external eating had higher energy and percentages of fat and lower FQI and HEI scores. Individuals with high restrained eating scores demonstrated lower energy intake but a higher percentage of protein intake and higher CQI, FQI, MQI, and HEI scores. ConclusionsExternal eating showed the most unfavorable associations, while restrained eating showed the most favorable associations with quantity and quality of diet 2 to 4 years after SG. Emotional eating was minimally related to dietary characteristics.

Preferences for coaching strategies in a personalized virtual coach for emotional eaters: an explorative study.

Emotional eating is recognized as a potential contributor to weight gain. Emotional eaters often hide their problems because of feelings of shame about their behavior, making it challenging to provide them with the necessary support. The introduction of a virtual coach might offer a potential solution in assisting them. To find out whether emotional eaters are receptive to online personalized coaching, we presented emotional eaters with two essential proto-typical problem situations for emotional eaters: "experiencing cravings" and "after giving in to cravings," and asked them whether they preferred one of the three coaching strategies presented: Validating, Focus-on-Change and Dialectical. An experimental vignette study (2 × 3 design) was carried out. The vignettes featured two distinct personas, each representing one of the two common problem scenarios experienced by emotional eaters, along with three distinct coaching strategies for each scenario. To identify potential predictors for recognition of problem situations, questionnaires on emotional eating (DEBQ), personality traits (Big-5), well-being (PANAS), and BMI were administrated. A total of 62% of the respondents identified themselves with "after giving in to cravings" and 47% with "experiencing cravings." BMI, emotional eating and emotional stability appeared to be predictors in recognizing both the problem situations. In "experiencing cravings," the participating women preferred Dialectical and the Validation coaching strategies. In the "after giving in to cravings" condition, they revealed a preference for the Dialectical and the Focus-on-Change coaching strategies. Using vignettes allowed a less threatening way of bringing up sensitive topics for emotional eaters. The personas representing the problem situations were reasonably well recognized. To further enhance this recognition, it is important for the design and content of the personas to be even more closely related to the typical problem scenarios of emotional eaters, rather than focusing on physical characteristics or social backgrounds. This way, users may be less distracted by these factors. With the knowledge gained about the predictors that may influence recognition of the problem situations, design for coaching can be more customized. The participants represented individuals with high emotional eating levels, enhancing external validity.

The Indicator of Emotional Eating and Its Effects on Dietary Patterns among Female Students at Qassim University.

Emotional eating (EE) is considered as the inclination to eat in response to emotions and is associated with certain syndromes. In this sense, we explored the indices of EE and its association with dietary patterns among female students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study of 380 participants (aged 18-29 years, female students) was performed. Anthropometric measurements of the participants were taken, such as height, body mass index, fat mass and hip-waist circumference as well as the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). The classification of the ESS included the thresholds of 44.7, 43.9 and 11.3% for low, moderate and high EE, respectively. Linear regression after adjustment showed that fat intake was a significant predictor of EE (p = 0.031) as well as feelings of enthusiasm. We also observed an interesting indication: fat intake (p = 0.011) and educational level (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with, and could be significant predictors of, EE. The results highlight the importance of emotional eating, its relationship with the consumption of foods that contain fat and understanding how it develops by raising awareness of the importance of healthy food for a healthy lifestyle.

Food Insecurity Is Associated With Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors Among Adults in Puerto Rico

ObjectiveTo examine the association between food insecurity and dysfunctional eating behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico. MethodsData from 865 participants were obtained from baseline interviews from the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. The association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE) (categorized as no/moderate/high) was examined using multinomial logistic models. Potential mediation by perceived stress was explored. ResultsThe prevalence of food insecurity was 20.3%. Compared with adults with food security, adults with food insecurity had higher odds of both moderate EE (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–3.09) and high EE (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.75–4.64), and both moderate UE (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.91–3.50) and high UE (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.70–6.33). Perceived stress slightly attenuated these associations. Conclusions and ImplicationsFood insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in dysfunctional eating behaviors. Interventions alleviating food insecurity or stress might help adults sustain healthy eating behaviors.

Low eating self-efficacy is associated with unfavorable eating behavior tendencies among individuals with overweight and obesity

Success in long-term weight management depends partly on psychological and behavioral aspects. Understanding the links between psychological factors and eating behavior tendencies is needed to develop more effective weight management methods. This population-based cross-sectional study examined whether eating self-efficacy (ESE) is associated with cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), emotional eating (EE), and binge eating (BE). The hypothesis was that individuals with low ESE have more unfavorable eating behavior tendencies than individuals with high ESE. Participants were classified as low ESE and high ESE by the Weight-Related Self-Efficacy questionnaire (WEL) median cut-off point. Eating behavior tendencies were assessed with Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R-18 and Binge Eating Scale, and additionally, by the number of difficulties in weight management. The difficulties were low CR, high UE, high EE, and moderate or severe BE. Five hundred and thirty-two volunteers with overweight and obesity were included in the study. Participants with low ESE had lower CR (p < 0.03) and higher UE, EE, and BE (p < 0.001) than participants with high ESE. Thirty-nine percent of men with low ESE had at least two difficulties in successful weight control while this percentage was only 8% in men with high ESE. In women, the corresponding figures were 56% and 10%. The risk of low ESE was increased by high UE [OR 5.37 (95% CI 1.99–14.51)], high EE [OR 6.05 (95% CI 2.07–17.66)], or moderate or severe BE [OR 12.31 (95% CI 1.52–99.84)] in men, and by low CR [OR 5.19 (95% CI 2.22–12.18)], high UE [OR 7.20 (95% CI 2.41–19.22)], or high EE [OR 23.66 (95% CI 4.79–116.77)] in women. Low ESE was associated with unfavorable eating behavior tendencies and multiple concomitant difficulties in successful weight loss promotion. These eating behavior tendencies should be considered when counseling patients with overweight and obesity.

The relationship of parenting style and eating behavior in preschool children

BackgroundEating behavior represents individual appetitive traits which are related to the individual’s regulation of food intake. Eating behavior develops at an early age. There is some evidence that parenting styles might impact on the child’s eating behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of different dimensions of positive and negative parenting styles with the child’s eating behavior at a critical age period of the child’s early development.MethodsParents of 511 preschool children (aged 2–6 years) completed the Children Eating Behavior Questionnaire and the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire.ResultsAnalyses revealed that different dimensions of negative parenting styles were associated with eating behavior of the child. In details, inconsistent parenting showed a consistent association with eating behavior of a child (i.e. higher emotional eating, higher food responsiveness, higher food fussiness, higher satiety responsiveness and more enjoyment of food), whereas corporal punishment was associated with more emotional overeating and more food responsiveness but less satiety responsiveness. Further, powerful implementation was related to higher food responsiveness and less enjoyment of food and low monitoring was associated with higher emotional overeating and more slowness in eating. There was no such consistent association of positive parenting and eating behavior.ConclusionsMore negative parenting styles were associated with eating behavior which is more often related to potential weight problems in a long term, whereas positive parenting did not show such a consistent relationship with eating behavior. Negative parenting should be in the focus of prevention and treatment of eating behavior problems in young children.Trial registration: ISRCTN41045021 (06/05/2014).

A snapshot of eating behaviors in undergraduate college students living in South Florida

Objective: To examine a) whether college students’ eating behaviors are different by students’ sex and/or body mass index (BMI) categories and b) the correlations between college students’ eating behaviors and the degree to which they rely on internal bodily signals for food intake. Participants: Undergraduate college students 18–24 years old at a public university located in South Florida. Methods: Eligible students answered questionnaires to examine interoception, intuitive eating, and eating behaviors including emotional eating, restrained eating, cognitive restraint, external eating, and uncontrolled eating. Pearson correlation and independent t test were used (significance: p < 0.05). Results: Females reported lower interoception, intuitive eating, and higher emotional eating than males. Students with lower BMI had higher intuitive eating and lower restrained eating. Interoception was positively correlated with intuitive eating and negatively correlated with emotional, uncontrolled, restrained, and external eating. Conclusion: College students who have a better connection with their bodily signals have healthier eating behaviors and lower BMI.

Association Between Optimism and Negative Emotional Eating in Caribbean Latinx Adults in the Northeast US.

Negative emotional eating (EE) is associated with unfavorable behavioral and health outcomes. Understanding its association with positive factors, such as optimism, may shed light into novel interventions. We examined the association between optimism and negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults, a population disproportionately exposed to adversity. This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Latino Health and Well-being Study (21-84 years; n = 579). Optimism was measured with the Life Orientation Test-Revised version. EE was measured with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2. Adjusted Poisson models with robust error variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR). The proportion of individuals reporting high EE was greater in the low (39.0%) and moderate (36.8%) optimism groups than that in the high optimism group (24.8%; p = 0.011). Individuals with high optimism (vs. low) were less likely to report high EE over no EE (PR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.53-0.88). High optimism was negatively associated with high EE. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and test interventions promoting optimism for preventing negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults.

Association between Subjective Social Status and Emotional Eating in US Latinx Adults

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between subjective social status (SSS) and emotional eating (EE) among US Latinx adults.MethodsThe sample included 584 Latinx adults recruited between September 2011 and May 2013 from a community health center serving a large portion of the Latinx community in Lawrence, MA. Data was used from the Latino Health and Well-being Study. SSS was measured with the MacArthur's social ladder using four different scales (familial SSS from 0- 12 years, familial SSS from 13–18 years, current neighborhood SSS-within Lawrence, MA, and current societal SSS-within the US). EE was measured with the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 and was categorized into no EE, low EE, and high EE. Adjusted (sex, age, income, education, employment and marital status, body mass index, Latinx ethnic group, and place of birth) multinomial regression models were used to examine the associations between each SSS ladder and EE.ResultsAbout 50% of the sample were female, 73% were of Dominican origin, and 52% had less than a high school education. Approximately 27% and 34% experienced low and high EE, respectively. In adjusted models, each unit increase in the neighborhood SSS ladder was associated with 11% lower odds of low EE vs. no EE (OR: 0.89; 95% CI (0.81–0.97)). Each unit increase in neighborhood SSS was associated with 14% lower odds of high EE vs. no EE (OR: 0.86; 95% CI (0.79–0.94)). Similarly, each unit increase in the societal SSS ladder was associated with 10% lower odds of low EE vs. no EE (OR: 0.90; 95% CI (0.82–0.99)) and with 16% lower odds of high EE vs. no EE (OR: 0.84; 95% CI (0.76–0.93)). Familial SSS at 0–12 y and 13–18 y were not significantly associated with EE.ConclusionsIn a sample of US Latinx adults, greater current neighborhood and societal SSS were associated with lower odds of low and high EE (vs. no EE), but past familial SSS was not. Future research is needed to confirm our findings and to evaluate potential mechanisms explaining this relationship.Funding SourcesThe Latino Health and Well-being Study was funded by NIH-NIMHD.

Association between poor sleep quality and emotional eating in US Latinx adults and the mediating role of negative emotions

ABSTRACT Introduction Poor sleep quality is associated with negative emotions and may modulate emotional eating (EE). However, this has not been studied among US Latinx adults, a group experiencing sleep disparities. Objective To examine the association between sleep quality and EE in Latinx adults and explore the mediating role of negative emotions. Methods This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Latino Health and Well-being Study. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. EE was measured with the EE subscale of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 (categorized as no EE, low EE, and high EE). Negative emotions were measured via a composite score that included depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Poisson regression models with robust variance errors estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mediation was evaluated with the Karlsson-Holm-Breen method. Results More individuals with poor (vs. good) sleep quality experienced high EE (39.1% vs. 17.9%). Individuals with poor (vs. good) sleep quality were more likely to experience high EE vs. no EE (total effect = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.34, 2.26). Controlling for negative emotions, the effect of poor sleep on high EE was reduced to 1.23 (95% CI = 0.92, 1.65), leaving an indirect effect of 1.41 (95% CI = 1.25, 1.60); 62.6% of the effect was explained by negative emotions. Conclusion Poor sleep quality was associated with high EE in US Latinx adults and negative emotions partially mediated this relationship. Longitudinal studies are needed. Interventions and clinical programs should concomitantly address sleep quality and negative emotions to help prevent dysfunctional eating behaviors.

Evaluation of Dietary Habits, Type A Behavior Pattern and Its Relationship with Oral Health Status in Dental Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Oral health status among dental students has been widely studied, and while the repercussions of certain factors, such as personality type, adherence to healthy lifestyle habits and certain eating patterns, have been considered in the past, this study aims to study the combination of such factors and to carry out, in addition, clinical examinations that could provide deeper knowledge of real oral health status. A sample of 195 dental students was gathered and basic sociodemographic data (gender, age, nationality, hygiene habits, body mass index (BMI)) were collected, and type A personality scale (ERCTA), emotional eating (EE) and healthy lifestyle scale (EVS) values were registered. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations, a hierarchical linear regression model and moderation analysis were performed. Results showed that higher EE values were associated with a higher BMI, an increase in the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, a higher number of carious and filled teeth, a higher ERCTA and a lower adherence to the EVS. Likewise, a higher DMFT was associated with a higher BMI, higher bleeding on probing index (BOP) values, higher ERCTA values and lower adherence to EVS. Dental floss disuse, BMI, EE and EVS predicted 25.3% of DMFT. In addition, a type A personality has a moderating effect only in those with medium and high EE levels.

Identification of several eating habits that mediate the association between eating behaviors and the risk of obesity.

ObjectiveEating behaviors play important roles in the development of obesity. A better knowledge of the psychological aspects of eating behaviors in individuals with and without obesity and their consequences on daily eating and lifestyle habits would be informative. The Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ)‐R21 assesses the psychometrics of eating behavior. The objectives of the study were to establish which eating habits were or were not associated with TFEQ eating behaviors, and to quantify the extent to which those eating habits mediated the association between TFEQ eating behaviors and obesity risk.MethodsData were obtained from the Gene and Environment Case‐Control Obesity Study from northern France. It included 2237 individuals with obesity and 403 individuals without obesity. Eating behaviors were assessed according to the TFEQ‐R21. Two activity levels (physical activity and television watching) and six eating habits (e.g., plate size, having one serving or at least two servings of the main meal, …) were evaluated. Regression and mediation analyses were performed.ResultsHigher cognitive restraint, higher uncontrolled eating (UE) and higher emotional eating (EE) were associated with a higher risk of obesity, independently of each other and of age, sex, socio‐economic status and physical activity. Cognitive restraint was negatively associated with having at least two servings, while UE and EE were associated with several obesogenic habits such as eating in front of the television or eating at night. Each of these obesogenic habits mediated between 3% and 20% of the association between UE or EE and obesity.ConclusionsPsychological eating behaviors were associated with several lifestyle and eating habits in both individuals with and without obesity. Moreover, some eating habits partially mediated (between 3% and 20%) the association between TFEQ eating behaviors and obesity risk. For clinicians, this study shows that simple, easy‐to‐ask questions on specific daily eating habits can provide essential information to better understand and manage patients with obesity.

Restrained, emotional eating and depression can be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: metabolic syndrome (MetS) can have a bidirectional effect on emotional and restrained eating. Objectives: our aims are to find interrelations between MetS and emotional eating, restrained eating, additionally with depression. Methods: cross-sectional study. Participants aged between 18 and 63, and mostly were obese (n = 200). Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) were used to find associations between eating patterns and metabolic syndrome. Results: our study ensured evidences for physiological relations between restrained and emotional eating with MetS. Biochemical parameters showed that restrained eaters were less insulin resistant and participants with MetS had higher emotional eating and lower restrained eating. Besides, restrained eaters had lower triglyceride, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, blood glucose, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels; and emotional eating was parallel with fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: MetS had strong associations with eating behaviors as restrained, emotional and external. In line with the findings of the study, additionally, women were more susceptible to MetS than men were. In the regulation of restrictive, emotional and external eating behaviors, dietitians and psychology experts should be in cooperation to treat disordered eating patterns.

Psychological Predictors of Weight Loss Based on Participants' Predispositions: Obesity Treatment Implications.

Treatments for obesity focused on improving self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood demonstrated promise for inducing maintained weight loss. However, they might be improved if tailored to subjects' psychological predispositions. The study sample was of women (N = 139) with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). After classification of the subjects as low self-regulation (n = 23), high negative mood (n = 16), high emotional eating (n = 24), low body satisfaction (n = 25), and no predisposition (n = 51), multiple regression models were fit. Changes in self-regulation, self-efficacy, and mood over 3 months significantly predicted 6-month change in weight (R2 = 0.17-0.50). Except for the negative mood grouping, changes in self-regulation contributed most strongly to the explained variances in weight loss. Findings contributed to the limited research on tailoring obesity treatments to individual psychological characteristics. Regardless of characteristics, the value of increasing self-regulatory skills to address lifestyle barriers and improving mood through increased physical activity was indicated.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Lockdown Measures on Lifestyle Behaviors and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents with Severe Obesity

Introduction: COVID-19 lockdown measures have large impact on lifestyle behaviors and well-being of children. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on eating styles and behaviors, physical activity (PA), screen time, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children (0–18 years) with severe obesity. Methods: During the first COVID-19 wave (April 2020), validated questionnaires were completed and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with parents of children with severe obesity (adult body mass index [BMI]-equivalent ≥35 kg/m²) and/or with the children themselves. Changes in pre-pandemic versus lockdown scores of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire Children, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and Dutch PA Questionnaire were assessed. Qualitative analyses were performed according to the Grounded Theory. Results: Ninety families were approached of which 83 families were included. Characteristics of the included children were: mean age 11.2 ± 4.6 years, 52% female, mean BMI SD-score +3.8 ± 1.0. Emotional, restrained, and external eating styles, HRQoL, and (noneducational) screen time did not change on group level (all p > 0.05). However, weekly PA decreased (mean difference −1.9 h/week, p = 0.02) mostly in adolescents. In the majority of children, mean weekly PA decreased to ≤2 h/week. Children with high emotional or external eating scores during lockdown or pre-existent psychosocial problems had the lowest HRQoL (p < 0.01). Qualitative analyses revealed an increased demand for food in a significant proportion of children (n = 21), mostly in children <10 years (19/21). This was often attributed to loss of daily structure and perceived stress. Families who reported no changes (n = 15) or improved eating behaviors (n = 11) attributed this to already existing strict eating schemes that they kept adhering to during lockdown. Conclusion: This study shows differing responses to COVID-19 lockdown measures in children with severe obesity. On group level, PA significantly decreased and in substantial minorities eating styles and HRQoL deteriorated. Children with pre-existent psychosocial problems or pre-pandemic high external or emotional eating scores were most at risk. These children and their families should be targeted by health care professionals to minimize negative physical and mental health consequences.

The effect of mood on food versus non-food interference among females who are high and low on emotional eating

BackgroundEmotional eating refers to overeating triggered by emotional experiences and may cause significant psychological distress and health problems. Thus, it is important to better understand its underlying mechanisms. The study examined if the ability to ignore task-irrelevant information, namely, interference control, is modulated by mood and exposure to food stimuli among females who are high and low on emotional eating.MethodThe study’s sample included 80 women who were high (N = 40) or low (N = 40) on an emotional eating scale. Participants were divided to a negative or neutral mood induction group. Following the mood induction, they completed a food-flanker task that allowed assessing attentional interference caused by food and non-food stimuli separately.ResultsThe low emotional eating group had significantly greater food compared to non-food interference, suggesting difficulty at ignoring food stimuli while attending a neutral target. In the high emotional eating group, there was no difference between food and non-food interference. However, higher levels of emotional eating predicted lower levels of food interference.ConclusionThe pattern of results suggests a food-avoidance attentional tendency among those with higher levels of emotional eating. The mood manipulation did not influence food-related interference in either group. The lack of an effect of mood on food-related interference questions the impact of negative emotions on basic attentional processes among individuals with emotional eating.

Study of Disturbed Eating Behaviors in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT Background There is emergent evidence that disturbed eating behaviors, including emotional eating and obesity, co-occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The current study aims to examine the link between ADHD symptoms, eating behaviors and obesity in ADHD children. Patients and Methods 50 ADHD children diagnosed by Conners scale were included. They completed the Emotional Eating scale adapted for children (ESS-C) to evaluate eating in response to emotions. Parents completed the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) to assess children’s eating behavior. Multivariable regression analysis was used to detect the most independent factor for higher Body mass Index (BMI) risk. Results: Higher rates of overweight/obesity were detected among ADHD children than among normal population. Also, higher Conners global index was associated with higher BMI z-scores. Both Inattentive and combined types were linked to higher BMI, while hyperactive type with lower BMI. Regarding eating behaviors, a positive association between food approach and BMI, and a negative association between food avoidant and BMI z-scores was found. Similarly, there was a noteworthy positive relation between emotional overeating and BMI. 68% of ADHD children were high emotional eaters, mainly inattentive and combined types. Others, mainly hyperactive type, were low emotional eaters. Only ESS-C total score was confirmed as independent factor for higher BMI risk. Conclusion Our findings provide evidence that emotional overeating and food approach eating behaviors are common among ADHD children with higher BMI associated with them. Future studies for better understanding of this overlap will enhance potential interventions.

Sensory perception and food neophobia drive liking of functional plant‐based food enriched with winemaking by‐products

AbstractThe use of phenol compounds obtained from unripe grapes as antioxidant sustainable food ingredients is challenging due to their specific sensory attributes, such as sourness and astringency. The aim was to evaluate sensory attributes perception and consumers' liking for beetroot purees added with phenols from unripe grapes. According to hedonic responses, consumer clusters were identified and characterized for eating behavioral attitudes. Three hundred two subjects (56% women, 18–60 years old) evaluated sweet, sour, astringency, and overall flavor intensity of and liking for four beetroot puree samples added with increasing phenols concentrations (0–1.93 g/kg). Results showed that liking decreased with increasing phenols. Interestingly, samples with highest phenols concentration, characterized by sourness, and astringency, were preferred by a segment of consumers (39% of the group). This group was characterized by a low food neophobia and tended to have high emotional eating scores compared to consumers preferring samples without or with the lowest amount of extract. These results suggest that the development of functional phenol‐enriched products using winemaking by‐products is challenging due to their sensory properties that negatively influence consumers' acceptance. However, with appropriate segmentation strategies it is possible to identify specific consumer targets who could appreciate these new functional foods.Practical ApplicationsUnripe grapes can be used as a sustainable phenol source for the development of new highly antioxidant foods. Indeed, an addition till 1.9 g/kg, besides improving both the nutritional content of the food matrices, as well as promoting the reuse of winemaking by‐products, could be considered feasible from a sensory point of view. Specifically, new sustainable plant‐based food product, characterized by specific sensory attributes, could be target for specific groups of consumers to foster the transition to the consumption of food products developed using value‐added and sustainable ingredients.

Interoceptive awareness and emotional eating in college women: the role of appetite and emotional awareness

Objective: Emotional eating is prevalent among college women. Deficits in interoceptive awareness, or the ability to perceive and identify internal sensations, are associated with emotional eating. Separately examining the specific components of interoceptive awareness, appetite and emotional awareness, in relation to emotional eating may improve prevention and treatment of emotional eating in college women. Participants : 143 women at an urban Northeastern university. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using self-report measures of interoceptive awareness, appetite and emotional awareness, emotional eating, and depression. Simultaneous regression analyses examined the independent association of appetite and emotional awareness with emotional eating, controlling for depression. Results: Consistent with hypotheses, lower interoceptive awareness was associated with higher emotional eating. Appetite and emotional awareness, were each uniquely associated with emotional eating independent of depression, even when entered simultaneously. Conclusions: Future prevention and treatment of emotional eating in college women should target improvements in appetite and emotional awareness.