Emotional overeating

Emotional Overeating is a common behavioral response to stress, anxiety, or other emotional states, where an individual consumes food in excess of their physiological needs. This behavior is often associated with emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and boredom.

Definition

Emotional Overeating is defined as the act of consuming large quantities of food - usually "comfort" or junk foods - in response to feelings instead of hunger. Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions. It is seen as a coping strategy to deal with negative emotions.

Causes

Emotional overeating is often triggered by negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, anger, boredom, and sadness. Emotional distress can lead to a cycle of overeating, guilt, and increased emotional distress. This cycle can result in a pattern of disordered eating and may lead to weight gain and obesity.

Treatment

Treatment for emotional overeating often involves psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). These therapies aim to help individuals understand the triggers for their overeating and develop healthier coping strategies.

See Also

• Binge Eating Disorder
• Food Addiction
• Stress Eating
• Comfort Food

References

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