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Is emotional eating associated with behavioral traits and Mediterranean diet in children? A cross-sectional study
In this cross-sectional study by Buja et al. (2022), the authors sought to further the understanding of emotional eating in children. Recent evidence has highlighted the relationship between negative emotions, stress, and the potentiation or suppression of appetite, leading to the emergence of eating disorders and body weight fluctuations. Data on a sample of 178 children (between the ages of eight and nine) was collected using online questionnaires in 2021, gathering information on Mediterranean diet adherence and behavioral information relevant to emotional eating. Analysis of the results revealed a significant relationship between emotionally driven dietary intake alterations and emotional symptoms, where emotional undereating was positively linked to emotional state, number of siblings in the household, and negatively linked to Mediterranean diet fidelity. On the other hand, emotional overeating was positively linked to hyperactivity and emotional state and negatively linked to peer problems. The authors conclude that emotional eating in children is linked to behavioral patterns (hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, and peer issues), as well as dietary behaviors. These findings may be beneficial in promoting health interventions in schools, raising parental awareness, and increasing Mediterranean diet fidelity. [NPID: Emotional eating, Mediterranean diet, behavioral traits, social determinants, children]
Year: 2022
