Understanding the relationship between negative emotional eating and binge eating: The moderating effects of acting with awareness and non‐reactive mindfulness

Abstract

Objectives Negative emotional eating and binge eating are positively related, occur in diverse populations, and may be driven by similar mechanisms. Mindfulness facets such as acting with awareness, describe, non‐judgement, non‐reactive, and observe may moderate the relationship between these maladaptive eating phenotypes. Method A cross‐sectional study assessed emotional eating‐depression (Emotional Eating Scale‐Revised, depression subscale), trait mindfulness facets (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire‐Short Form), and binge eating severity (Binge Eating Scale) in adults (N = 258). Results Emotional eating‐depression was less strongly associated with binge eating severity in participants with higher acting with awareness mindfulness. Emotional eating‐depression was more strongly associated with binge eating severity in participants with higher non‐reactive mindfulness. Conclusions Acting with awareness and non‐reactive mindfulness may be important treatment targets in concurrent presentations of emotional eating‐depression and binge eating.

Mindfulness Facets Differentially Relate to Self-Reported Negative and Positive Emotional Eating Types in Treatment-Seeking Adults with Overweight/Obesity

“…In an online community sample with overweight weight status, higher acting with awareness, describe, and non-judgment, but not non-reactive and observe, mindfulness facets were associated with lower negative emotional eating [25]. Interestingly, other research has suggested that more external/sensory-based facets of mindfulness such as observe may be positively associated with negative emotional eating [25,[26][27]. Consistent with that theory, using a longitudinal approach, one study identi ed that higher observe mindfulness assessed at baseline was predictive of worsened external eating and negative emotional eating six months later [27].…”

“…One study identi ed that higher acting with awareness, describe, non-judgment, and non-reactive, but not observe, mindfulness facets were associated with lower negative emotional eating in a pre-surgical bariatric population [24]. In an online community sample with overweight weight status, higher acting with awareness, describe, and non-judgment, but not non-reactive and observe, mindfulness facets were associated with lower negative emotional eating [25]. Interestingly, other research has suggested that more external/sensory-based facets of mindfulness such as observe may be positively associated with negative emotional eating [25,[26][27].…”

Psychometric comparison of the Persian Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale and Emotional Eater Questionnaire among Iranian adults

“…Some factors that play a role in creating emotional eating are lower parental quality in infancy [ 6 , 7 ], parental rejection [ 8 ], or childhood invalidation and emotional reactivity [ 9 ]. The side effects of emotional eating include overeating and binge eating, with the latter being linked to a more serious eating disorder [ 10 , 11 ] or depression and weight gain [ 12 ].…”

Psychometric Comparison of the Persian Salzburg Emotional Eating Scale and Emotional Eater Questionnaire Among Iranian Adults

“…parental rejection [8], or childhood invalidation and emotional reactivity [9]. The side effects of emotional eating include overeating and binge eating, with the latter being linked to a more serious eating disorder [10,11] or depression and weight gain [12].…”