Examination of emotion-induced changes in eating: A latent profile analysis of the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire

Using the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ) and Latent Profile Analysis, the main objective of this study was to research the effect of positive emotions on emotional eating behavior. Numerous variables were investigated by comparing the eating profiles of 401 university students with factors including those already known to be associated with EE (perceived positive/negative feelings, depression, anxiety, stress symptoms, and impulsivity), BMI, risk for eating disorder, age, and sex. The findings were as follows: the degree of emotional distress and positive feeling were similar in Negative Emotional Overeaters (NEO) and in Negative Emotional Undereaters (NEU), although the risk of developing eating disorders shot up in both groups; and NEOs cut down on food intake in a positive way, were majority female, measured higher BMIs, and were more likely to act irrationally when faced with negative feelings. [NPID: emotions, emotional eating, external eating, depression, anxiety, stress, impulsivity, eating disorders]

Year: 2018

Reference: Bourdier, L., Morvan, Y., Kotbagi, G., Kern, L., Romo, L., & Berthoz, S. (2018). Examination of emotion-induced changes in eating: A latent profile analysis of the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire. Appetite, 123, 72–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.11.108