Emotional Eating and Weight Gain
We have all reached for a tub of ice cream or a bag of chips after a long and stressful day. Perhaps you have noticed that your cravings for unhealthy food increase when you feel down, anxious, or overwhelmed.
I'm sure we have all experienced some form of emotional eating at one point or another. Emotional eating is a common coping mechanism that involves using food to deal with emotions rather than fueling our bodies for nourishment. It can be triggered by various factors such as stress, boredom, sadness, or even happiness.
While it may provide temporary comfort due to the dopamine release, emotional eating can negatively affect our health and well-being. One of the most significant consequences of emotional eating is weight gain.
This article will explore the connection between emotional eating and weight gain and how to break this cycle.
So, what triggers emotional eating?
Common Triggers of Emotional Eating
You may have noticed that you tend to reach for unhealthy food in certain situations without even realizing it. Identifying these triggers is the first step in breaking the cycle of emotional eating.
According to a study by Hanna Konttinen and colleagues on the topic of emotional eating and obesity in adults, there is a strong correlation between negative emotions such as stress, depression, anxiety, and food intake. This response, known as 'emotional eating,' involves turning to energy-dense and palatable foods to cope with these negative emotions.
The study discusses three main aspects of emotional eating and obesity in adults. The first is the link between depression and emotional eating, with evidence suggesting that this behavior may contribute to weight gain.
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Secondly, the study highlights the role of sleep duration in conjunction with emotional eating, as individuals who experience shorter sleep and higher levels of emotional eating are at a greater risk for weight gain. Finally, the study explores how genetics can influence body weight through emotional eating and other behaviors.