Search Results (68)

Background: Emotions substantially influence human eating behavior, but while negative affect has been consistently associated with maladaptive eating patterns, the role of positive affect remains underexplored. Thereby, emotion regulation (ER) is considered a key mechanism through which affective states may influence eating behavior. However, its mediating role remains unclear, particularly among non-clinical populations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of ER in the relationship between negative and positive affect and maladaptive eating behavior in a non-clinical adult sample. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was administered to a general-population convenience sample of 189 adults. Participants completed four standardized self-report questionnaires: Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Correlational analyses and multiple regression models were used to examine the relationships between variables and to test the mediating role of ER. Results: Negative affect was significantly associated with both maladaptive eating behavior (r = 0.29, p < 0.01) and ER difficulties (r = 0.51, p < 0.01). Positive affect was only negatively related to emotion dysregulation (r = −0.47, p < 0.01). ER did not mediate the relationship between either positive or negative affect and maladaptive eating behavior. Conclusions: Findings underscore the influence of negative affect in maladaptive eating behavior, independently of ER. Although positive affect did not directly predict disordered eating behavior, its association with reduced ER difficulties warrants further exploration of its potential protective role. Full article

Emerging adulthood is a critical time for the development of disordered eating attitudes. Low self-esteem is a known risk factor for unhealthy eating attitudes, but the mechanisms behind this link are not fully understood. This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and eating attitudes in emerging adults, focusing on the mediating role of social physique anxiety and the moderating role of gender. The sample included 495 university students (68.9% women, mean age = 20.94 years, SD = 1.97). Self-esteem, social physique anxiety, and eating attitudes were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test-26, respectively. Mediation and moderation mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro. Women reported lower self-esteem, higher levels of social physique anxiety, and more frequent disordered eating behaviors. Mediation analysis indicated that social physique anxiety fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and eating attitudes (path c’: b = 0.05, 95% CI [−0.12, 0.21]; indirect effect: b = −0.44, 95% CI [−0.57, −0.32]). Moderated mediation revealed that the indirect effect of low self-esteem on maladaptive eating attitudes through social physique anxiety was stronger among women (index of moderated mediation: b = 0.28, 95% CI [0.07, 0.51]). These findings indicate that low self-esteem can heighten body-related distress in social settings, increasing vulnerability to disordered eating, especially among women. By providing a better understanding of the mechanisms linking self-esteem and eating attitudes in emerging adults, the findings can inform the development of interventions targeting self-perception and body-related concerns, especially among women, to reduce the risk of eating disorders and promote healthier eating attitudes. Full article

Background: Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a widespread practice among judo athletes seeking to compete in lower weight categories. Restrictive nutritional and behavioral strategies used to achieve short-term reductions in body mass may impair physiological and psychological functioning. This study aimed to assess dietary behaviors, weight-cutting methods, and short-term physical and psychological effects of RWL among competitive judo athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and December 2024 among 70 judo athletes (17 women, 53 men) competing at national and international levels. Data were collected using an author-designed questionnaire addressing anthropometric variables, training history, RWL strategies, dietary restrictions, hydration manipulation, and post-weigh-in eating behaviors. Physical and psychological symptoms were assessed using frequency-based self-report measures. Results: Most athletes (95.7%) reported engaging in RWL, typically beginning between ages 13 and 16 years (65.7%). Athletes reduced an average of 3.64 ± 1.74 kg (2–5% of body mass). Common strategies included decreasing meal frequency (74.29%), increasing training load (72.86%), restricting fluids (68.57%), and using saunas (62.86%). Reported physical symptoms included weakness (71.43%), headaches (51.43%), and dizziness (45.71%), while psychological symptoms included irritability (57.14%), reduced motivation (40%), and tension (38.57%). Post-weigh-in binge eating occurred in 65.71% of athletes and was significantly associated with higher RWL magnitude (p < 0.05). Discomfort during competition related to overeating (55.71%) or insufficient intake (41.43%) was also frequent. Conclusions: RWL is highly prevalent among judo athletes and often begins early in training history. The strategies used are associated with adverse physical and psychological symptoms and maladaptive compensatory behaviors. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based nutritional education and individualized weight-management approaches to support athlete health and performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity results from the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Psychiatric comorbidities and maladaptive eating attitudes are possible contributors to this complexity. Despite accumulating research, current treatment approaches often fail to achieve lasting success, possibly due to the tendency to approach obesity as a uniform condition despite its heterogeneity. This study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of adults with obesity based on their eating behaviors, psychopathology, and food addiction (FA). Methods: The study included 202 adults seeking obesity treatment at Ankara Dışkapı Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. Participants completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, Yale Food Addiction Scale, Night Eating Questionnaire, and Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R). Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed through clinician-administered semi-structured interviews (SCID-5-CV). Two-step cluster analysis was performed using z-standardized variables of eating and psychopathology measures. Subsequent comparisons were conducted between the identified subgroups. Results: Two distinct clusters were identified and described in terms of adaptive and maladaptive eating traits: an Adaptive group (n = 92, 45.5%) and a Maladaptive group (n = 110, 54.5%). The Maladaptive cluster exhibited higher levels of emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, night eating, FA, and general psychopathology (all p < 0.001), along with a greater prevalence of major depressive disorder and binge eating disorder. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that psychopathology and maladaptive eating behaviors meaningfully distinguish two obesity phenotypes. Nearly half of individuals with obesity, characterized by maladaptive eating traits, FA, or elevated psychopathology, may constitute a subgroup that would particularly benefit from psychoeducation or targeted psychiatric intervention. Full article

Background: Young adults with bowel conditions—such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases—often experience poor quality of life, which may be influenced by their disease management, including eating behaviors. This study aimed to explore maladaptive eating behaviors and quality of life among young adults diagnosed with bowel conditions (IBS, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative Colitis), stratified by gender. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey assessing Quality of Life (QOL) and maladaptive eating behaviors (EDE-Q, TFEQ-18) was conducted in 73 young adults with bowel conditions (70% women; mean age 25.16 ± 2.94 years) in 2022/2023. Results: Participants reported an average of 10.72 ± 7.46 SD physically or mentally unhealthy days in the past month, indicating poor perceived health status. Mean EDE-Q global scores were higher than published normative data for healthy young adults (men: 2.49 ± 1.26 SD vs. 0.95 ± 0.98 SD; women: 2.30 ± 1.12 SD vs. 1.65 ± 1.30 SD). Mann–Whitney U tests revealed no significant gender differences in QOL or EDE-Q scores. However, men (n = 22) reported self-induced vomiting (68.18% vs. 29.41%) and medicine misuse (63.64% vs. 37.25%) ≥ 4 times in the past month at a higher proportion than women (n = 51). After controlling for age at diagnosis, the Global EDE-Q score was positively associated with QOL Global score (r_partial = 0.534, p < 0.001) and with the number of unhealthy days reported in the past month (r_partial = 0.452, p < 0.001) indicating a relationship of moderate strength. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential value of incorporating routine screening for eating disorder risk into the medical treatment of young adults with bowel conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: An excessive focus on the consumption of “healthy” or “clean” foods may develop into an obsessive pattern of eating behavior. Orthorexia, a relatively recent construct within the field of eating and feeding disorders, reflects this maladaptive preoccupation with dietary purity. Although orthorexia has received increasing empirical attention, its etiological pathways and maintaining mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Previous research has identified perfectionism as a potential risk factor contributing to the development and persistence of orthorexic tendencies. Accordingly, the present study aimed to examine the association between perfectionism and orthorexic behaviors and to explore the mediating role of self-compassion, conceptualized as the capacity to respond to personal suffering with kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of shared humanity, in this relationship. Methods: The study sample consisted of 227 participants aged 18 to 55 years. Measures included a self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire, the Bratman Orthorexia Test (BOT), the ORTO-15, the Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire (AMPQ), and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-PL). Results: Findings confirmed a positive association between maladaptive perfectionism and orthorexic behaviors, as well as relationships between both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and various dimensions of self-compassion. Self-compassion and its dimensions were also found to mediate the relationship between perfectionism and orthorexic behaviors. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of both perfectionism and self-compassion as factors associated with orthorexic behaviors. Given that self-compassion is linked to mental health and may serve as a buffer against self-critical cognitive processes, its assessment is particularly relevant, especially as research suggests it is a skill that can be cultivated. Full article

Background: Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are closely linked to maladaptive coping strategies, including impulsive and emotional eating, which undermine health and well-being in young adults. Technical university students are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as a high academic workload, sedentary behavior, and performance-related stress. This study evaluated the effects of a four-week structured physical activity intervention on ER and eating behaviors among engineering students. Methods: Seventy first- and second-year computer science and engineering students (40 males and 30 females, aged 19–25 years) from Politehnica University of Bucharest participated in the study. The intervention included three weekly supervised training sessions and a daily step count requirement (≥6000 steps), verified via weekly smartphone submissions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments employed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36) and the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ-35). Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and paired-sample t-tests. Results: Significant improvements were observed in five ER domains—non-acceptance of emotional responses, goal-directed behavior, impulse control, access to regulation strategies, and emotional clarity (all p < 0.01). No change occurred in emotional awareness (p > 0.05). Eating behaviors (restrained, emotional, and external eating) showed no significant differences pre- and post-intervention (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: A short-term, structured physical activity program enhanced emotion regulation capacities but did not alter eating behaviors in the short run. These findings highlight the feasibility of embedding low-cost, exercise-based modules into higher education to strengthen students’ psychological resilience. Longer and multimodal interventions may be required to produce measurable changes in eating behaviors. Full article

Background: Psychological vulnerabilities, including early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), emotion regulation difficulties, perceived stress, and limited social support, are increasingly recognized as drivers of maladaptive eating and obesity. These findings underscore the need for health education and health promotion strategies that address psychological determinants of eating behavior. However, few studies integrate these psychological mechanisms with dietary and lifestyle indicators in both community and medical populations. Methods: A total of 1500 adults (aged 18–65 years; 53% women) recruited from community and medical settings participated in the study. Data were collected between January 2018 and February 2025 using standardized paper-based questionnaires. Participants completed validated measures of EMSs (YSQ-S3), emotion regulation (DERS), stress (PSS-10), social support (MSPSS), eating-related behaviors (QERB), diet (FFQ-6; Unhealthy Diet Index [UDI]), and physical activity (IPAQ-SF). Anthropometric indices included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as an indicator of central adiposity. Analyses involved multivariate regression, mediation, and moderation models. Results: EMSs were associated with emotional overeating and higher UDI scores. Difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the EMS–eating relationship (β_indirect = 0.27, p < 0.001). Perceived stress amplified, while social support attenuated, the association between EMSs and emotion regulation difficulties. UDI was inversely related to physical activity (β = −0.14, p < 0.01) and positively to sedentary time (β = 0.12, p < 0.01). Both BMI and WC were higher among participants reporting greater stress, emotion dysregulation, and unhealthy eating. All effects remained robust after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. Conclusions: Early maladaptive schemas and emotion regulation difficulties contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns and central adiposity, with stress and social support acting as contextual moderators. Integrating psychological assessment with validated dietary and lifestyle measures provides a comprehensive framework for obesity prevention and schema-informed interventions. From a lifespan perspective (18–65 years), these findings highlight the need for multidomain strategies targeting cognitive–emotional and behavioral mechanisms of weight regulation. Full article

Background: Emotional eating (EmE) is a maladaptive eating behavior that has been frequently observed among university students, possibly due to academic stress and lifestyle changes. However, its specific assessment in health science students has been poorly addressed, even though this population faces high levels of academic stress and emotional burden. Objective: This study explores the association between self-perceived health status, life satisfaction, and EmE among university students in the health field on the north coast of Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1213 students. Self-perceived health, life satisfaction, and EmE were assessed using validated instruments. In addition, sociodemographic data were considered as covariates and possible confounding factors. T-tests, chi-square tests, and Poisson regression with robust variance were applied. Results: EmE was more prevalent in women (78.0%) than in men (66.8%; p < 0.001). In addition, an inverse association was observed between self-perceived health and emotional eating: students with average self-perceived health (adjusted OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83–0.94) and those with high self-perceived health (adjusted OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.69–0.81) showed a progressively lower prevalence of EmE compared to those with low self-perceived health. Similarly, high life satisfaction was associated with a lower prevalence of EmE (adjusted PR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80–0.96). Conclusions: Low self-perceived health and life dissatisfaction were significantly associated with a higher probability of EmE in medical and nursing students. These results highlight the need to strengthen university programs on mental health, emotional regulation, and subjective well-being promotion as strategies to prevent maladaptive eating behaviors in academic settings, considering gender. Full article

Background/Objectives: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorders in primary care. The global lifetime prevalence of GAD is estimated at 3.7%, ranging from 1.6% in low-income countries to 5.0% in high-income countries, underscoring its widespread impact. Given the frequent co-occurrence of GAD with obesity, this association has important clinical implications, particularly for screening, prevention, and treatment strategies. The aim of this review is to identify potential biological mechanisms linking obesity and GAD, summarize the current state of knowledge in this area, and highlight existing research gaps, as well as directions for future research. Methods: This narrative review is based on the literature published between 2015 and 2025 concerning the co-occurrence of GAD and obesity, with a focus on potential shared mechanisms including HPA axis dysregulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, gut–brain axis and microbiota dysbiosis, sleep disturbance, and maladaptive eating behaviors. Results/Conclusions: A growing body of evidence suggests an important, albeit still ambiguously defined, relationship between obesity and GAD. GAD and obesity may reinforce each other, leading to a mutually reinforcing relationship. Despite growing interest, high-quality prospective and interventional studies focusing specifically on GAD are lacking. A potentially effective therapeutic approach should be integrated and multidisciplinary, combining psychological, pharmacological, and lifestyle interventions. It may also be beneficial for clinicians to consider routine assessment of anxiety in patients with obesity and, conversely, to monitor metabolic risk in individuals with GAD. Such an approach, targeting both mental and metabolic domains, holds promise for improving outcomes. Full article

Introduction: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present sleep and eating problems. However, the relationship between these two factors has seldom been studied. Objective: This paper aimed to examine the association between sleep disturbances and feeding problems in children and adolescents with ASD. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study assessed feeding behaviors using the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) and assessed sleep problems with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (Bruni scale). Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Sleep disturbances were significantly associated with autism severity (p = 0.003), but not with BPFAS subscale scores. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that sleep disturbances were independently associated with autism severity (p = 0.01; OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.06–0.77) and the BPFAS frequency subscale score (p = 0.01; OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.07). A secondary logistic regression identified five BPFAS items significantly associated with sleep disturbances: difficulty chewing (p = 0.02, OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.74), voluntary attendance at meals (p = 0.01, OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.39–0.90), tantrums during meals (p < 0.001; OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.21–3.56), poor appetite (p < 0.001; OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.43–4.82), and the caregiver’s perception that the child’s eating habits negatively affected their health (p = 0.03; OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.03–2.40). No significant associations were found with age, sex, medical comorbidities, behavioral disorders or genetic factors. Conclusions: The findings suggest that greater autism severity and more pronounced feeding behaviors are independently associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with ASD. Specific maladaptive mealtime behaviors, such as poor appetite, tantrums, and chewing difficulties, may serve as predictors of sleep problems, highlighting the need for integrated screening and early intervention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic stress contributes to obesity through maladaptive eating behaviors, including emotional eating (eating due to negative emotions) and binge eating (consuming large amounts of food with a loss of control). A theoretical model suggests that emotional eating can escalate to binge eating along a severity continuum, but this sequential pathway from stress to higher body mass index (BMI) has remained empirically untested. Therefore, this study examined a serial mediation model in which perceived stress predicts BMI sequentially through emotional eating and then binge eating. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 272 Korean adults completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (emotional eating subscale), and the Binge Eating Scale. The serial mediation model was tested using PROCESS macro model 6, with age, gender, and education as covariates. Results: The serial mediation pathway (stress → emotional eating → binge eating → BMI) was statistically significant (indirect effect B = 0.071, 95% CI [0.041, 0.112]). A separate simple mediation path through binge eating alone was also significant (B = 0.056, 95% CI [0.018, 0.102]), whereas the path through emotional eating alone was not significant. The total indirect effect (B = 0.108, 95% CI [0.052, 0.172]) was significant, indicating that the influence of stress on BMI was fully mediated by the eating behaviors modeled. Conclusions: This study provides the first empirical evidence supporting a sequential pathway from stress to elevated BMI via the progression from emotional to binge eating. The findings support the overeating continuum model and highlight binge eating as a pivotal mediator. This behavioral progression suggests that emotional and binge eating are distinct stages, offering crucial opportunities for tailored prevention and intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nurses play a vital role in healthcare, yet their demanding working conditions, including long hours, shift work, and stress, can negatively impact health behaviors. In Poland, empirical data on nurses’ eating habits and body composition remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate body composition and dietary habits among nurses, and to identify significant relationships and associations between these variables. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 460 Polish nurses. The mean age of the respondents was 45.07 years (SD ± 11.98). Body composition was assessed using the Tanita MC-780 PLUS MA analyzer, and eating behaviors were measured with the standardized My Eating Habits questionnaire (MEH). Advanced statistical analyses including k-means clustering, ANOVA, chi-square tests, Spearman’s correlation, ROC curves, decision tree modeling, and heatmap visualization were used to identify associations. Results: The MEH scores among nurses indicated average eating behavior. However, excess body fat, overweight/obesity, shift work, and holding multiple jobs were significantly associated with emotional overeating, habitual overeating, and restrictive eating. Decision tree analysis identified Body Mass Index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM) and comorbidities as key predictors of problematic eating patterns. Interaction effects showed that shift work combined with higher BMI further increased the risk of maladaptive behaviors. Heatmaps confirmed the strongest MEH scores in participants with elevated BMI and FFM. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for targeted workplace interventions promoting healthy eating and weight control among nurses. Recognizing risk factors such as excess weight or multiple job holding can aid in designing effective prevention and health promotion strategies tailored to healthcare professionals. Full article

Workplace violence (WV) is a ubiquitous risk in healthcare settings where it has been associated with physical and mental health problems. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the violence experienced by healthcare workers (HCWs) and the presence of eating disorders (EDs). During routine health surveillance, 1215 HCWs were questioned about their experience of WV and the short version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-QS) was used to assess their eating behaviors. Sleep quality, stress, and the presence of common mental illnesses and metabolic disorders were also evaluated. HCWs who had experienced one or more assaults in the previous year had a significantly higher EDE score than their colleagues. In a multivariate model, WV doubled the risk of EDs (odds ratio 2.33, confidence intervals 95% 1.30; 4.18, p < 0.01). A very significant association was observed between common mental disorders and EDs (OR 1.13, CI 95% 1.04; 1.23, p < 0.01), while low sleep quality almost reached a significant level (OR 1.09, CI 95% 0.99; 1.20). The higher frequency of EDs among workers subjected to violence may result from maladaptive coping mechanisms used when stress and mental health problems caused by WV lead to compensatory overeating. However, reverse causation, where WV is induced by stigmatization, cannot be ruled out. Because of the considerable impact EDs have on physical and mental health, productivity, and patient care, healthcare organizations should adopt programs designed to prevent these disorders in HCWs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food-related memory influences appetite regulation, with memory inhibition potentially reducing cravings. While obesity is linked to inhibitory deficits, how restrained eating affects memory suppression in healthy-weight individuals remains unclear. This study examined the cognitive and neural mechanisms of food-memory suppression in young women. Methods: Forty-two female participants completed a think/no-think task with high-/low-calorie food cues while an EEG was recorded. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were assessed and time–frequency analyses (theta/beta oscillations) were performed. Results: Restrained eaters showed reduced memory control for both food types. The ERP analysis revealed significant N200 amplitude differences between think/no-think conditions (p = 0.03) and a significant interaction between food calories and think/no-think conditions (p = 0.032). Theta oscillations differed by group, food calories, and conditions (p = 0.038), while beta oscillations reflected food-cue processing variations. Conclusions: In conclusion, restrained eaters exhibit distinct neural processing and attenuated food-memory suppression. These results elucidate the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying dietary behavior, suggesting that targeted interventions for maladaptive eating could strengthen memory inhibition. Full article