Cited by 261Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

A systematic review of the association between emotions and eating behaviour in normal and overweight adult populations

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Devonport, Tracey J, Nicholls, Wendy, Fullerton, Christopher·2019·Journal of Health Psychology

Abstract

A systematic review was completed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (2004–2015) yielded 60,017 articles, of which 29 met inclusion criteria. Included studies performed poorly on data quality analysis in terms of randomisation and controlling for confounding factors. Participant’s body mass index scores range from 19.73 (standard deviation = 1.54) to 28.4 (standard deviation = 1.4) kg/m 2 . Where positive and negative affects were compared, food was more likely to be consumed in response to positive affect. With regard to discrete emotions; stress, depression and sadness consistently elicited eating behaviours that fall outside of nutritional recommendations (e.g. increased food intake or poor nutritional food choices). The role of moderators including individual differences in dietary restraint and emotional eating, as well as methodological considerations, such as means of eliciting and measuring emotions, may account for equivocality with regard to some emotion and eating associations. This article concludes with recommendations for future research and implications for practice.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Herman CP and Polivy J (1980) Restrained eating. In AJ Stunkard (Ed.), Obesity (pp. 208-225).
  2. McNair PM, Lorr M and Droppleman LF (1981) POMS manual (2nd ed.). San Diego: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.
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Authors
Devonport, T. J., Nicholls, W., & Fullerton, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Wolverhampton (GB)
  • University of Kent (GB)
Corresponding author
Devonport, Tracey J
Venue
Journal of Health Psychology
Published
2017-03-20
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
3-24
ISSN
  • 1359-1053 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7277
OpenAlex
W2590247839
Cited by
261
References
100
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3
FWCI
1.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (acceptedVersion)
  • Wolverhampton Intellectual Repository and E-Theses (University of Wolverhampton) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords
emotions, eating behaviour, emotional eating, positive affect, negative affect, stress, depression, sadness, overweight adults, body mass index, dietary restraint, dietary intake
MeSH terms
Self-Control, Emotions, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Overweight

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