Association between emotional eating, depressive symptoms, and body weight: A comparative cross-sectional study Association entre l’alimentation émotionnelle, les symptômes dépressifs et le poids corporel : une étude transversale comparative

Barta S. B., Helvacı G., UÇAR A.

Nutrition Clinique et Metabolisme, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.nupar.2025.11.005
  • Dergi Adı: Nutrition Clinique et Metabolisme
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Body mass index, Depression, Emotional appetite, Emotional eating, Obesity
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose Emotional eating, influenced by emotional states, depression, and stress, is associated with weight gain and obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the association between emotional eating and body mass index (BMI) in individuals with normal body weight and those with obesity and to assess the mediating role of emotional eating in the relationship between depressive symptoms and BMI. Material and methods In this comparative cross-sectional study, 300 individuals aged 20–65 years (150 obese and 150 with normal body weight) were assessed using validated questionnaires: Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised-18 (TFEQ-R18), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Anthropometric measurements were collected, and multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors influencing emotional eating and obesity. Results Obese individuals showed significantly higher scores in emotional eating, hunger sensitivity, and negative emotional responses compared to those with normal weight ( P < 0.001). Emotional eating was positively associated with BMI and negative emotions, and inversely related to positive emotions. Depression levels and physical activity did not significantly predict emotional eating. Logistic regression identified negative emotions (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06–1.19), total positive score (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.99), emotional eating (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21–1.91), and hunger sensitivity (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.07–1.62) as significant predictors of obesity ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Emotional eating is a key behavioral risk factor for obesity, influenced by both emotional situations and BMI. These findings underline the need for a multidisciplinary approach to obesity treatment that addresses emotional and psychological dimensions alongside dietary and physical activity interventions.