Emotional eating

Associations among impulsivity, depression, sex, and weight status in young adults

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2021.1.35452

Keywords:

Emotional eating, Impulsivity, Inhibitory control, Disordered eating, Eating style

Abstract

Emotional Eating (EE) is defined as eating under the influence of negative emotions, and is associated with Eating Disorders, impulsivity, depression and weight gain. However, previous literature is not clear regarding how these variables explain EE. The present study aimed to identify predictors of EE and its relationship to impulsivity, depression, eating style, and weight status in young adults. Sex differences in eating style were examined, and differences in EE between obese/overweight and normal/underweight individuals were tested. Two-hundred college students completed online questionnaires assessing all variables. Low inhibitory control, depression symptoms, female sex, and higher body mass index significantly predicted scores on EE. Obese/overweight and female participants presented increased EE. Correlation analysis evidenced positive associations between EE, Uncontrolled Eating, body mass, and low inhibitory control. Results indicate that EE is related to psychological factors such as impulsivity and depression, and to biological factors, such as sex and body mass.

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Author Biographies

Roberto Decker, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Mestre e doutorando em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Marcelle Matiazo Pinhatti, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Mestra e doutoranda em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Thiago Gomes DeCastro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Doutor e mestre em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. Professor adjunto no Intituto de Psicologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Lisiane Bizarro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Doutora em Psicologia pelo Institute of Psychiatry King’s College, em Londres, Inglaterra. Professora titular no Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

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Published

2021-05-27

How to Cite

Decker, R., Pinhatti, M. M., DeCastro, T. G., & Bizarro, L. (2021). Emotional eating: Associations among impulsivity, depression, sex, and weight status in young adults. Psico, 52(1), e35452. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2021.1.35452

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Vol. 52 No. 1 (2021)

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