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The Impact of Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating on Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 October 2026 | Viewed by 1094

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
Interests: dysregulated eating; eating disorders; addictive behaviors; computational psychiatry; digital health; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue prioritizes applying a public health lens across the continuum from emotional and stress-related eating to dysregulated eating and clinical eating disorders, emphasizing population impact, prevention, intervention, and policy. We welcome studies that map risk trajectories and inflection points across the human lifespan, quantify prevalence and burden in communities, and examine social determinants (stressors, food insecurity, marketing, etc.) that shape eating under distress. Epidemiologic studies linking emotional/dysregulated eating to clinical outcomes and population burden—across cohorts and life stages—are especially encouraged, including associations with weight, adiposity, metabolic risk, and mental health.

Methodological contributions on standardizing emotional eating measures; integrating psychometric, laboratory, and daily-life data; and advancing digital just-in-time interventions are encouraged, with attention to inclusive, cross-cultural validation and equity. We also seek research connecting dietary guidelines and sustainable food systems with strategies to buffer stress-related eating, as well as brief, scalable policy-and-systems approaches in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Submissions may include original research, systematic/scoping reviews, meta-analyses, policy evaluations, and practice reports that translate mechanisms of learning, cue reactivity, and emotion regulation into population-level prevention, early detection/screening, and care pathways for eating disorders.

Dr. Kwangyeol Baek
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • emotional eating
  • stress-related eating
  • dysregulated eating
  • binge eating
  • eating disorders
  • public health
  • mental health
  • social determinants of health
  • obesity
  • behavioral change
  • digital health
  • ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
  • digital just-in-time interventions (JITAI)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 645 KB  
Article
The Psychological Dimensions of Dieting: A Two-Phase Study on Body Appreciation, Nutritional Awareness and Mental Well-Being
by Paula Sophia Cozma, Lóránd Dénes and Zsuzsánna Simon-Szabó
Nutrients 2026, 18(9), 1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091405 - 29 Apr 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Dieting is a widespread behavior that is associated with psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. Recent research suggests that a body-positive attitude and mindful approach to eating may influence individuals’ experiences with dieting; however, their combined role has been insufficiently explored. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Dieting is a widespread behavior that is associated with psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders. Recent research suggests that a body-positive attitude and mindful approach to eating may influence individuals’ experiences with dieting; however, their combined role has been insufficiently explored. Methods: A two-phase study was conducted among voluntary adults using online data collection. In Phase 1, a cross-sectional survey was completed by 180 participants (71.7% women), assessing dieting behavior, body appreciation, nutritional awareness, psychological distress, well-being, and eating disorders. Correlation analyses, group comparisons, and regression models were performed. In Phase 2, 90 participants entered the pilot and received a brief psychoeducational digital material promoting mindful eating and positive body image. The follow-up assessment was completed by 59, after one month of engagement. Results: Body appreciation and nutritional awareness were positively associated with mental well-being and inversely related to psychological distress (p < 0.001 for all) and to eating disorder screening scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). More frequent dieting was associated with lower body appreciation (p < 0.001). According to the observed pattern of correlations, body appreciation may play a role in the relationship between dieting and psychological distress. In the intervention phase, greater engagement with the psychoeducational material was associated with higher reported levels of nutritional awareness (p = 0.003) and greater perceived body awareness (p = 0.026) at follow-up; however, due to the exploratory design, findings are preliminary. Conclusions: The results suggest that dieting, as a behavior, may be embedded in broader psychological processes that include body-related attitudes and nutritional awareness. Taking these factors into account may have potential implications for preventive measures aimed at promoting healthier dietary habits, a more positive relationship with one’s body, and mental well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating on Health)
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14 pages, 266 KB  
Systematic Review
Understanding the Relationship Between Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms: A Systematic Review
by Michelangelo Di Luzio, Valeria Villani, Giulia D’Amario, Ilaria Bertoncini, Alessandra Minutolo, Valeria Zanna, Stefano Vicari and Maria Pontillo
Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050874 - 9 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background: It is well documented in the scientific literature that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and various eating disorders may present overlapping psychopathological traits. Exploring these aspects could help to identify underlying features that connect different diagnostic categories. However, evidence is lacking regarding certain less-studied [...] Read more.
Background: It is well documented in the scientific literature that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and various eating disorders may present overlapping psychopathological traits. Exploring these aspects could help to identify underlying features that connect different diagnostic categories. However, evidence is lacking regarding certain less-studied eating disorders, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The aim of this review is to investigate the presence of comorbidity between OCD and ARFID and, consequently, the psychopathological similarities between these disorders. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and PsycInfo databases was conducted. To ensure methodological rigor, the review process followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations. Results: After removing duplicates and applying the exclusion criteria, nine studies were included. Results indicated that although ARFID presents with primarily food-related symptomatology, the two disorders demonstrate both overlapping and distinct psychopathological characteristics. A tendency toward comorbidity is evident; however, symptom presentation appears to be influenced by age. Specifically, lower obsessive–compulsive comorbidity is observed during childhood and adolescence. Nevertheless, OCD in younger populations is more frequently associated with a fear-driven ARFID profile compared to older individuals. The co-occurrence of these conditions complicates treatment; OCD-related symptoms often show limited responsiveness to conventional approaches used for eating disorders. Conclusions: ARFID and OCD share partially overlapping psychopathological features, with comorbidity patterns varying by age. Recognizing these shared and disorder-specific traits—and investigating them through longitudinal studies—may guide more targeted, personalized interventions and improve treatment outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating on Health)
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