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Lifestyle behaviors and their potential effects on diabetes are being investigated for optimal diabetes management. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the necessary dietary modifications extend to psychological components for consideration. This study aimed to determine the eating behavior of T2DM patients with different sociodemographic characteristics in an urban Turkish population. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was distributed via social media and a smartphone application to 108 T2DM patients, 58 males and 50 females, age 26–40 years (20 individuals, 18.6%) and over 40 years (88 individuals, 81.4 %). Basic component factor analysis varimax rotation was used for the item-total correlation coefficient. The 26–40 years age group exhibited high correlation for both restrained and emotional eating behavior (r > 0.8), while participants over 40 years displayed medium correlation for restrained eating and high correlation for emotional eating (r = 0.6–0.8). Compared to married and single participants, participants with “other” marital status showed significant correlation with all eating behavior categories (r > 0.8). Married participants were less correlated with all categories compared to single participants. Participants with lower education levels exhibited high correlation (r > 0.8) for all forms of eating, more so compared to those with higher levels of education attained. Overweight patients demonstrated moderately high (r = 0.4–0.6) restrictive eating correlation, while normal weight and obese patients exhibited higher correlation (r = 0.6–0.8) for emotional and restrained eating compared to overweight patients. Regardless of demographic factors, when all participants were combined, the strongest correlation was found to be with emotional eating compared to other types of eating.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a global epidemic. To effectively control T2DM, individuals must adhere to a high-quality diet that encompasses not only healthy dietary patterns but also promotes positive eating behaviors. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 314 patients with T2DM, and we evaluated the diet quality and also examined the associations between eating behavior, diet quality, and anthropometric and clinical factors in T2DM patients. We used the Diet Quality Index-International and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire to assess dietary characteristics. We found that women had a significantly higher diet quality than men (61.40 vs. 58.68, p = 0.002) but were also more prone to emotional eating (2.00 vs. 1.53, p < 0.001) and restrained eating (2.39 vs. 2.05, p = 0.002). Restrained eating correlated with duration of diabetes (r = −0.169, p = 0.003), body mass index (r = 0.182, p = 0.001), and external eating with glycated hemoglobin (r = 0.114, p = 0.044). Patients with emotional eating had a higher vitamin C adequacy score (β = 0.117, p = 0.045). External eating was positively associated with grain adequacy (β = 0.208, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with empty-calorie food moderation score (β = −0.125, p = 0.032). For restrained eating, we found associations with vitamin C adequacy (β = −0.138, p = 0.017) and fruit adequacy (β = 0.125, p = 0.033). In conclusion, the results of this study provide valuable insight into dietary behavior and emphasize the importance of promoting healthy eating habits for T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAimsMethodsResultsConclusionExcessive weight gain has led to increased obesity and mortality risk among college students. Issues with maintaining a healthy weight may be attributed to poor internal awareness and unhealthy eating behaviors. The study’s purpose was to determine the longitudinal effects among interoception, self-regulation, nonpurposeful eating behaviors, and weight status (BMI) among college women.Data from 103 females were collected via Qualtrics over 3 timepoints (T1, T2, T3) during an academic semester. Repeated measures ANOVA and cross-lagged model analyses were used. Significant changes were found in interoceptive responsiveness, external, and uncontrolled eating throughout 3 timepoints.Longitudinally, significant causal effects were found among the study measures. Among all models, higher interoceptive responsiveness (T1) predicted increased self-regulation (T2). Higher non-purposeful eating behaviors (T1) predicted reduced self-regulation (T2). Higher BMI (T1) predicted reduced non-purposeful eating behaviors (T2), however higher BMI (T2) predicted increased non-purposeful eating (T3) and reduced interoceptive responsiveness (T3). Significant causal effects were found within each non-purposeful eating behavior models.Overall, the research study provided foundational evidence of the importance of self-regulatory skills to help prevent unhealthy eating behaviors and increased weight status in college women. Future interventions educating college women to become more internally aware and better self-regulate are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet and eating behavior both play a crucial role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and eating behavior in a population of patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was performed using 416 patients with T2DM and their dietary intake and eating behavior were assessed with validated questionnaires. Women scored significantly higher than men for emotional and restrained eating (p < 0.001). Correlation analyses showed that emotional eaters consumed significantly more calories (r = 0.120, p = 0.014) and fat (r = 0.101, p = 0.039), as well as non-alcoholic beverages for women (r = 0.193, p = 0.003) and alcohol for men (r = 0.154, p = 0.038). Also, individuals who ate based on external cues consumed significantly more calories (r = 0.188, p < 0.001) and fat (r = 0.139, p = 0.005). These results demonstrate that eating behavior influences dietary intake. Understanding this relationship could optimize diabetes management and allow for more individualized nutritional guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of childhood food experiences (CFEs) in determining future eating behaviors remains unclear. The aim of the study was to examine the link between CFEs and selected eating styles (ESs), i.e., intuitive (IE), restrained (ResEat) and external (ExtEat) eating, among 708 Polish adults aged 18–65 (477 women and 231 men). CFEs were measured with the Adults' Memories of Feeding in Childhood questionnaire. Polish versions of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire were used to assess ESs. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare ESs scores between those with lower and higher CFEs. In the total sample, "Restrictions" and "Pressure and Food Reward" parental feeding practices favored lower IE, while "Healthy Eating Guidance" and "Monitoring" practices predisposed higher levels of IE in adulthood. "Restrictions" were found to correlate with greater chances of ResEat, whereas "Healthy Eating Guidance" was linked with lower probability of ResEat. "Pressure and Food Reward" and "Monitoring" were associated with higher score for ExtEat. "Restrictions", "Child Control", "Monitoring" and "Healthy Eating Guidance" practices were differently linked to ESs in women and men. The findings suggest that education programs for parents should focus on the long-term consequences of feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Obesity is related to eating habits. Overeating is the most behavioural trait implicated in obesity; emotional, external and rigid restrained eating are three maladaptive eating habits that are associated to overeating. Objectives The current study assesses the eating styles of Algerian adults. It identifies and analyses differences in eating styles in a sample from adults with normal BMI and who have obesity. The study examines the relationship between eating styles and BMI. Methods The sample consisted of 200 volunteers aged from 31 to 62 years old, 110 with obesity and 90 having normal BMI. The participants were recruited from hospital and university employees. They were questioned about their eating habits. The participants did not receive any treatment. To assess eating styles, participants completed the DEBQ. Results The prevalence of women was in the majority, representing 61% (n = 122) in the total sample (63.63% (n = 70) with obesity, and 55.77% (n = 52) with normal BMI). The prevalence of men represents 39% (n = 78) in the total sample (36.36% (n = 40) with obesity, and 42.22% (n = 38) with normal BMI). Participants with obesity showed pathological eating styles. They scored higher on emotional and external eating styles than to normal BMI group. However, restraint eating showed a slight no significant increase. The mean scores ± standard deviations observed in each eating styles were: emotional eating (2.88 ± 0.99** vs. 1.71 ± 0.32), external eating (3.31 ± 0.68** vs. 1.96 ± 0.29), and retrained eating (1.81 ± 0.7ns vs. 1.3 ± 0.30). The linear regression analysis showed an effect of emotional and external eating on BMI. Conclusion These results could be used to provide clinical information at the initial screening for obesity criteria, obesity prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND: It is widely known that excessive or prolonged stress in humans, can negatively affect eating behavior. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to validate the Salzburg Stress Eating Scale (SSES) in the Greek language and to examine its psychometric properties, in a sample of adults, in Greece. METHODS: An online survey was conducted. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) R-18 and two subscales of the Dutch Eating Behavior questionnaire (DEBQ) were used, together with the SSES. Certain sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were also assessed. Exploratory Factor analysis (EFA), Cronbach's α and Spearman's rho were used. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 368 participants (51.1% women) and the mean age of the participants was 35 years. EFA indicated one factor in SSES with Eigenvalues > 1, which explained the 54.6% of total variance. The Cronbach's Alpha was 0.920. SSES was significantly positively correlated with the subscales of the DEBQ (for the Restrained Eating subscale r = 0.147 and for the Emotional Eating subscale r = 0.615, p < 0.001) and was significantly negatively correlated with two subscales of the TEFQ (for the TFEQ1 r = – 0.233 and for the TFEQ2 r = – 0.562, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Greek version of SSES is a reliable tool for assessing changes in eating behavior, in relation to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating behaviors are complex phenomena, entangling physiological signals of hunger and satiety, food choices, emotional states, and social factors and expectations, as well as food availability and sensory appearance. Evaluating eating behaviors is challenging and must cover different motives. One instrument for such evaluation is the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), composed of three subscales for exploring emotional eating, external eating, and restrained eating. In this article, we aimed to (1) evaluate the psychometric properties of a Mexican Spanish adaptation of the DEBQ; and (2) explore the associations between the three adapted DEBQ scales and the influence of sociodemographic factors on each of the three eating behaviors in Mexican pregnant women. A sample of 514 pregnant women responded to our adapted version of the DEBQ and a questionnaire about sociodemographic information. We performed an exploratory factor analysis using a principal component analysis with varimax rotation; based on this analysis, we removed items that loaded on two factors and then performed a confirmatory factor analysis. The final version of the adapted DEBQ has 26 items, clearly divided into a three-factor structure and satisfactorily reliable (Cronbach's ⍺ = 0.903). We then performed Spearman bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression with backward variable selection to test the associations and influence of sociodemographic factors on each of the three eating behaviors evaluated with the DEBQ. In pregnant women, emotional eating (EmoE) had a medium-high correlation with external eating (ExtE) and a low correlation with restrained eating (RestE), while ExtE and RestE showed no association. The three eating behaviors are associated with maternal sociodemographic and reproductive variables, which partly explain their variation, most notably maternal schooling. Our adapted version of the DEBQ is suitable for use with Mexican Spanish–speaking pregnant women. Maternal sociodemographic and reproductive factors have an influence on the variance of eating behaviors during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze eating behavior and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Materials and methods. 83 patients with T2D (62 women, 21 men) aged 59.0 ± 9.9 years and 134 people without clinical and laboratory signs of diabetes mellitus (105 women, 29 men) aged 55.0 ± 10.2 years were examined. Bulimia nervosa was excluded in all the patients. Eating behavior was assessed using Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, V.A. Losenkov’sImpulsivity Questionnaire. Genotyping of the LEPR gene rs1137100 marker was performed using polymerase chain reaction. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson chi-square were used to compare the values of the variables; ROC-analysis was performed. Results. The emotional eating was more pronounced in T2D group (4.9 (4.1; 5.2) vs 3.1 (2.8; 3.8), p < 0.0001), but the restrained (2.8 (2.6; 3.6) vs 3.3 (2.6; 4.2), p < 0.0001) and external eating was less pronounced (3.3 (3.0; 3.8) vs 3.8 (3.3; 4.4), p < 0.0001), T2D patients were also less impulsive (47 (38; 66) vs 61 (54.5; 70), p < 0.0001). These differences for emotional eating are confirmed in both subgroup of excess body weight and in subgroups of all degrees of obesity. The best predictive model of T2D was obtained for emotional eating with a cut-off point 4.1 scores: sensitivity 74.7 %, specificity 79.1 %, AUROC = 0.777; 95 % confidence interval: 0.715–0.830, p < 0.0001. The distribution of genotypes by the polymorphic marker rs1137100 of the LEPR gene was similar in both groups. Restrictive eating was lower in patients with GG genotype compared to AA and GA (1.77 ± 0.52 vs 2.94 ± 0.08, p < 0.01). Conclusion. Рatients with T2D are characterized by emotional eating behavior. The association of the polymorphic locus rs1137100 of the LEPR gene with restrained eating behavior in T2D suggests the presence of genetic factors for the formation of eating patterns.

Introduction: Dysregulated eating (emotional eating, cue-elicited eating, and dietary restraint and restriction) has been linked to being overweight or obese. The present investigation used a random controlled trial (RCT) to test the differential efficacy of remotely delivered Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MBEAT) and Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) counseling. Methods: The sample was recruited through advertisements that offered help to people “with problems controlling their eating” or “interested in improving their relationship with food” (n = 135). Results: Retention was low in both groups (42%), but not dissimilar to retention rates reported in related clinical trials delivered “in person.” Among the participants who completed treatment, we found no between-group differences in any of the treatment outcomes, but participants in both groups experienced significant increases in eating-related mindfulness [Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and awareness [Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and significant decreases in unhealthy eating patterns [Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ); Binge Eating Scale (BES), and weight over the course of treatment. Participants in both groups also experienced increases in self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], although these increases likely reflected normative changes observed in the population at large during COVID-19. Discussion: Overall, the results suggest that dysregulated eating and weight loss intervention delivered remotely via teleconference can be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Available studies suggest that childhood food experiences (CFE) may be linked with eating behaviors in adulthood, as well as eating style (ES); thus, both CFE and ES can determine dietary intake. Little is known about the role of both of these factors in explaining the diet quality (DQ) of adults. The aim was to investigate to what extent selected ESs, i.e., intuitive (IE), restrained (ResEat), and external (ExtEat) eating, and CFE related to parental feeding practices (PFPs) will predict the DQ of women and men. Data from 708 Polish adults (477 women and 231 men) aged 18–65 were collected via the Internet from October 2022 to January 2023. Mann–Whitney's U Test was used to compare ES and CFE levels among women and men, while DQ determinants were tested with the multiple linear regression (MLR). In the total study sample, "Healthy Eating Guidance" (CFE), "Child Control" (CFE), "Body–Food Choice Congruence" (IE), and ResEat favored higher DQ scores, while "Unconditional Permission to Eat" (IE), "Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons" (IE), and ExtEat predisposed to lower DQ scores. After the MLR was conducted separately in women and men, differences were noted in the role of "Healthy Eating Guidance" (CFE), "Pressure and Food Reward" (CFE), "Unconditional Permission to Eat" (IE), "Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons" (IE), ExtEat, and ResEat in predicting DQ indices. Our findings suggest that childhood food experiences and selected eating styles may differently determine the DQ of women and men. Future studies conducted within representative samples are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is related to eating habits. Overeating is the most behavioural trait implicated in obesity; emotional, external and rigid restrained eating are three maladaptive eating habits that are associated to overeating. Objectives: The current study assesses the eating styles of Algerian adults. It identifies and analyses differences in eating styles in a sample from adults with normal BMI and who have obesity. The study examines the relationship between eating styles and BMI. Methods: The sample consisted of 200 volunteers aged from 31 to 62 years old, 110 with obesity and 90 having normal BMI. The participants were recruited from hospital and university employees. They were questioned about their eating habits. The participants did not receive any treatment. To assess eating styles, participants completed the DEBQ. Results: The prevalence of women was in the majority, representing 61% (n = 122) in the total sample (63.63% (n = 70) with obesity, and 55.77% (n = 52) with normal BMI). The prevalence of men represents 39% (n = 78) in the total sample (36.36% (n = 40) with obesity, and 42.22% (n = 38) with normal BMI). Participants with obesity showed pathological eating styles. They scored higher on emotional and external eating styles than to normal BMI group. However, restraint eating showed a slight no significant increase. The mean scores ± standard deviations observed in each eating styles were: emotional eating (2.88 ± 0.99** vs. 1.71 ± 0.32), external eating (3.31 ± 0.68** vs. 1.96 ± 0.29), and retrained eating (1.81 ± 0.7ns vs. 1.3 ± 0.30). The linear regression analysis showed an effect of emotional and external eating on BMI. Conclusion: These results could be used to provide clinical information at the initial screening for obesity criteria, obesity prevention and treatment. Plain English summary: Emotional, external and rigid restrained eating are three eating habits related to obesity. They are associated to overeating in response to negative emotions, external food-related cues, and body weight control. Obesity treatment necessarily requires the training of medical professionals. The objective of this research is to assess eating styles of people living with obesity and to analyse differences comparing with people with normal body mass index (BMI). We examined the relationship between eating habits and BMI. A total of 200 participants aged from 31 to 62 years old were recruited from hospital and university workers; 110 with obesity and 90 with normal BMI. The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess eating styles (DEBQ). The outcomes of the current study showed that people with obesity exhibit a high emotional and external eating. However, they show a slight restraint eating. BMI was associated to both emotional and external eating. Negatives emotions lead participants to overeat as a response way to cope with, and expose them to obesity. These results are important for the initial screening of obesity criteria. For prevention and treatment of obesity, eating styles must be targeted as factors associated to obesity in order to cope with negative emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and body mass index (BMI), as well as to explore the mediating role of emotional and external eating in the relationships between routine and compensatory restraints and BMI. Chinese adults aged ≥18 years with different weight statuses were invited to fill out an online questionnaire. Routine and compensatory restraints and emotional and external eating were assessed using the validated 13-item Chinese version of the Weight-Related Eating Questionnaire. Mediation analyses tested the mediation effects of emotional and external eating on the relationship between routine and compensatory restraints and BMI. In total, 949 participants (26.4% male) responded to the survey (mean age = 33 years, standard deviation (SD) = 14, mean BMI = 22.0 kg/m2, SD = 3.8). The mean routine restraint score was higher in the overweight/obese group (mean ± SD = 2.13 ± 0.76, p < 0.001) than in the normal weight (2.08 ± 0.89) and underweight (1.72 ± 0.94) groups. However, the normal weight group scored higher in compensatory restraint (2.88 ± 1.03, p = 0.021) than the overweight/obese (2.75 ± 0.93) and underweight (2.62 ± 1.04) groups. Routine restraint was related to higher BMI both directly (β = 0.07, p = 0.02) and indirectly through emotional eating (β = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.03, 0.07). Compensatory restraint was only indirectly related to higher BMI through emotional eating (β = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.07). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionDysregulated eating (emotional eating, cue-elicited eating, and dietary restraint and restriction) has been linked to being overweight or obese. The present investigation used a random controlled trial (RCT) to test the differential efficacy of remotely delivered Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) and Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) counseling.MethodsThe sample was recruited through advertisements that offered help to people “with problems controlling their eating” or “interested in improving their relationship with food” (n = 135).ResultsRetention was low in both groups (42%), but not dissimilar to retention rates reported in related clinical trials delivered “in person.” Among the participants who completed treatment, we found no between-group differences in any of the treatment outcomes, but participants in both groups experienced significant increases in eating-related mindfulness [Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) and awareness [Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and significant decreases in unhealthy eating patterns [Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ); Binge Eating Scale (BES), and weight over the course of treatment. Participants in both groups also experienced increases in self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], although these increases likely reflected normative changes observed in the population at large during COVID-19.DiscussionOverall, the results suggest that dysregulated eating and weight loss intervention delivered remotely via teleconference can be effective.

ObjectiveTo test the reliability and validity of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) in an online format in university students from low-income regions.MethodsWe applied the questionnaire to a sample of 195 and 117 university students from a low-income region (Gini index of 0.56) to study validity and reliability, respectively. The DEBQ consists of 33 items on eating behavior in three dimensions/factors: emotional eating, restrained eating and external eating. The questionnaire was administered twice at 2-week intervals. We tested the reliability via temporal stability and internal consistency and construct validity via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsFor reliability, we identified an acceptable Spearman correlation coefficient (rho > 0.30 and p

(1) Background: Few studies have investigated the association between eating styles and IBS. This study aimed to explore the association between abnormal eating styles and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated students in China Medical University and Shenyang Medical College. Eating styles were evaluated by the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and IBS was diagnosed according to Rome III criteria. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). (3) Results: A total of 335 students were diagnosed with IBS. Students with the total scores in tertile 2 and 3 had 1.29 times and 2.75 times higher risk of IBS than students with the total scores in tertile 1, respectively. Simultaneously, the risk of IBS in the tertile 3 of external eating, emotional eating, and restraint eating trends was 3.87 times, 2.71 times, and 3.82 times higher than that of tertile 1, respectively. (4) Conclusions: this study showed that a high score in both total eating styles and each eating style was associated with the odds of having IBS and suggested that the psychological factors behind eating styles may play a critical role in controlling the IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief research aimed to examine how hotel employees' demographics and nutritional knowledge influence their emotional and external eating behaviors. Empirical data was collected from hotel employees (n = 372) from four- and five-star hotels in Mediterranean cities in Turkey. ANOVA was conducted to identify the significant differences in employees' emotional and external eating behaviors based on their demographic characteristics and nutritional knowledge. The study results indicated significant differences in hotel employees' emotional eating by their gender, income, and education level. The study results further revealed that hotel employees' external eating behavior differed based on their gender, marital status, and nutritional knowledge. The study results provide specific theoretical and practical implications in the health care and hospitality industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the eating behaviour styles of Irish teens and to explore the relationships between demographic factors, BMI and dietary intake and these eating behaviour styles.Design: Cross-sectional data from the Irish National Teens' Food Survey (2005-2006). The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire assessed three eating behaviour styles in teens: restrained, emotional and external eating. Data were stratified by sex and age groups.Setting: The Republic of Ireland.Participants: Nationally representative sample of teens aged 13-17 years (n 441).Results: The highest scoring eating behaviour style was external eating (2·83 external v. 1·79 restraint and 1·84 emotional). Girls scored higher than boys on all three scales (Restraint: 2·04 v. 1·56, P < 0·001, Emotional: 2·15 v. 1·55, P < 0·001 and External: 2·91 v. 2·76, P = 0·03), and older teens scored higher than younger teens on the Emotional (1·97 v. 1·67, P < 0·001) and External scales (2·91 v. 2·72, P = 0·01). Teens classified as overweight/obese scored higher than those classified as normal weight on the Restraint scale (2·15 v. 1·71, P < 0·001) and lower on the External scale (2·67 v. 2·87, P < 0·03). Daily energy intake was negatively correlated with the Restraint (r -0·343, P < 0·001) and Emotional scales (r -0·137, P = 0·004) and positively correlated with the External scale (r 0·110, P = 0·02).Conclusions: External eating is the predominant eating behaviour style among Irish teens, but sex, age, BMI and dietary differences exist for each eating behaviour style. Including measures of eating behaviour styles into future dietary research could help understand both how and why as well as what people eat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between Millennials' perceived stress and their external and emotional eating behaviors. Furthermore, the moderating effect of nutritional knowledge on the relationship between perceived stress and emotional eating and perceived stress and external eating of US Millennials was tested. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from 649 Millennials between the ages of 18 and 35 in the United States, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the study hypotheses. Findings: This study extends the literature and provides further insights into the relationship between US Millennials' eating behavior and stress factors. Perceived stress positively influenced Millennials' emotional and external eating behavior, and nutritional knowledge significantly moderated the relationships between perceived stress and emotional eating and perceived stress and external eating. Research limitations/implications: First, data was collected from Millennials living in the United States. Second, not all of the predictors, save one (perceived stress), were selected and hypothesized as predictors of Millennials' eating behavior. The paper provides the essential psychological elements of US Millennials' eating behavior. Originality/value: If unbalanced eating and obesity are the result of negative psychological factors, the recommended diet models or physical exercise by themselves may be less effective at combating obesity and related health issues. This is because stress was found to be a highly significant reason for unbalanced eating, new and more practical stress coping strategies are needed to moderate unbalanced eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) is a widely used self-report measure of eating styles, i.e., emotional, restrained, and external. A short and reliable version is useful for screening, routine assessments, and multipurpose surveys. Objective: The short version of the DEBQ by Bailly et al. (2012) was validated in the Italian context in two studies. Concurrent criterion validity was tested by considering gender, body mass index, self-esteem, eating self-efficacy, and snacking habits. Method: Data were collected via online questionnaires administered to two convenience samples of university students ( n = 613, n = 856). Results: The three-factor structure of the short version of the DEBQ was supported and was invariant across genders. Correlations among the three eating styles, gender, body mass index, self-esteem, eating self-efficacy, and snacking habits followed the expected pattern. Conclusion: The short form of the DEBQ is psychometrically sound and can be used to investigate eating styles among Italian university students., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

IntroductionIn order to grasp the complex etiology of childhood obesity, we aim to clarify the relationship between external eating and weight. Based on theory and empirical evidence, we claim that inhibition is an important moderator in this association. In our first research question we expected that high external eating would be related to a higher weight status, especially for those with high inhibition problems. Secondly, we explored the moderating role of inhibition in the association between external eating and weight change after a multidisciplinary obesity treatment.MethodWe investigated n=572 participants (51% boys, aged 7–19) with moderate to extreme obesity recruited in a Belgian inpatient treatment center. At intake, parents reported on inhibition (BRIEF), while the children and adolescents reported on their eating behavior (DEBQ). Weight and length were objectively measured pre and post treatment (ADJUSTED BMI). Two hierarchical linear regression models were built to scrutinize the influence of inhibition on the association between external eating and both baseline weight and weight change.ResultsFirst, predicting baseline weight, we found no significant moderating effect of inhibition problems. Second, predicting weight loss, inhibition turned out to be a substantial moderator, specifically in adolescents. Some unexpected gender differences occurred in favor of adolescent boys, in a way that those with high external eating and low inhibition problems lost most weight.ConclusionInhibition problems act as a moderator explaining weight loss, but this only holds for adolescents. This suggests that external eating and inhibition play a complex role in weight loss in certain age and gender categories, and stresses the importance of identifying subgroups for tailoring interventions. For those with high inhibition problems, interventions aimed at increasing inhibition skills might be needed to optimize treatment outcomes.

Introduction: Introduction: in the student population, the transition from the school system to the university system often involves a normative life crisis; one of the central challenges of this stage is the shift from an external normative system in permanent operation to individual self-regulation of behavior. One of the areas most affected by this change are self-care habits, including the changes associated with the eating behavior of students, which tend to have a greater impact on accelerated body weight gain, especially during the first years. Objective: to characterize the presence of eating styles-restrictive eating, emotional eating, and external eating-in a sample of Chilean university population. Methods: this was an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 1230 university students (59.1 % women, 41.9 % men) with a mean age of 21 years (SD ± 3.32). The version adapted to the Chilean population of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire was applied. Results: the average scores of the total population for restrictive eating, emotional eating, and external eating were 2.56, 2.48, and 3.13, respectively. Gender differences were observed for all three styles. Discussion: External eating appears as the dominant intake style. This is key to understand the factors affecting the eating behavior of Chilean university students, and then develop effective interventions to consolidate eating habits appropriate for adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating rate (ER), comprising the amount of food consumed per unit of time, is associated with obesity and energy intake (EI). Methods: The present study tested whether adding a self‐monitoring wearable device to a multifaceted 8‐week weight loss intervention increased weight loss. In addition, the device's effect on secondary change outcomes in EI, ER and estimated energy expenditure was explored. Tertiary outcomes included examining eating behaviours measured by the Weight‐Related Eating Questionnaire (WREQ). Seventy‐two adults who were overweight or obese [mean (SD) age, 37.7 (15.3) years; body mass index, 31.3 (3.2) kg m−2] were randomised into two groups: intervention workbook plus device (WD) or intervention workbook only (WO). Three 24‐h dietary recalls were obtained before weeks 0 and 8. Participants were weighed, consumed a test meal and completed 7‐day Physical Activity Recall and WREQ at weeks 0 and 8. Results: There was no significant difference between WD and WO groups with respect to weight change [−0.46 (1.11) vs. 0.26 (0.82) kg, respectively], ER, EI, energy expenditure or WREQ scores, although there were significant changes over time, and within‐group changes on all of these variables. At week 8, participants were dichotomised into weight loss or weight stable/gainers groups. A significant time by group change was seen in susceptibility to external cues scores, with significant time effects for susceptibility and restraint. Conclusions: An intervention focused on reducing ER, energy density and increasing steps was effective for weight loss, although the wearable device provided no additional benefit. Participants with higher susceptibility to external eating may be more responsive to this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In order to grasp the complex etiology of childhood obesity, we aim to clarify the relationship between external eating and weight. Based on theory and empirical evidence, we claim that inhibition is an important moderator in this association. In our first research question we expected that high external eating would be related to a higher weight status, especially for those with high inhibition problems. Secondly, we explored the moderating role of inhibition in the association between external eating and weight change after a multidisciplinary obesity treatment. Method: We investigated n=572 participants (51% boys, aged 7–19) with moderate to extreme obesity recruited in a Belgian inpatient treatment center. At intake, parents reported on inhibition (BRIEF), while the children and adolescents reported on their eating behavior (DEBQ). Weight and length were objectively measured pre and post treatment (ADJUSTED BMI). Two hierarchical linear regression models were built to scrutinize the influence of inhibition on the association between external eating and both baseline weight and weight change. Results: First, predicting baseline weight, we found no significant moderating effect of inhibition problems. Second, predicting weight loss, inhibition turned out to be a substantial moderator, specifically in adolescents. Some unexpected gender differences occurred in favor of adolescent boys, in a way that those with high external eating and low inhibition problems lost most weight. Conclusion: Inhibition problems act as a moderator explaining weight loss, but this only holds for adolescents. This suggests that external eating and inhibition play a complex role in weight loss in certain age and gender categories, and stresses the importance of identifying subgroups for tailoring interventions. For those with high inhibition problems, interventions aimed at increasing inhibition skills might be needed to optimize treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight loss after bariatric surgery is largely predicted by adherence to diet and lifestyle changes. There is no validated measure of self-reported adherence to a range of behaviors including self-monitoring, portion control, healthy food choice, and awareness of hunger and satiety. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to develop and provide initial evidence for the validity of the Weight Management Skills Questionnaire, a measure of adherence to these changes, by identifying its factor structure and relating the total score and subscale scores to baseline BMI, weight change during a preoperative education program, dysregulated eating, and binge eating disorder (BED). Setting: University hospital, USA. Methods: Four hundred twenty-two bariatric surgery candidates responded the WMSQ and measures of eating behavior. Weight collected at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the presurgical program was used to compute percent total weight loss (%TWL) prior to surgery. Hierarchical factor analysis was used to explore the factor structure of the WMSQ while allowing the items to load onto a single general factor reflecting overall adherence to behavioral weight management. Results: The WMSQ has three interpretable subfactors, with all items loading onto the general factor. All scales were unrelated to starting BMI; total score and subfactors measuring general and bariatric-specific weight management skills were associated with %TWL. The scale measuring hunger/satiety responsiveness was negatively related to dysregulated eating/BED. Conclusions: The WMSQ may be a useful tool in future research exploring the key weight management skills associated with successful weight loss before and after bariatric surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimate associations between select eating behaviors and estimated body fat percentage (eBFP) and explore effect modification by sex among adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This analysis included 257 adolescents (mean age 14.9 ± 1.14 years; 49.8 % female) with baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between 8 and 13 % (64 mmol/mol–119 mmol/mol) from a randomized trial designed to improve glycemia. Eating behaviors and eBFP were determined from surveys and validated equations respectively. Linear mixed models were used to estimate associations. Effect modification was assessed via stratified plots, stratified associations, and interaction terms. Disordered eating, dietary restraint, and eBFP were significantly higher among females while external eating was higher among males. Disordered eating (β: 0.49, 95 %CI: 0.24, 0.73, p = 0.0001) and restraint (β: 1.11, 95 %CI: 0.29, 1.92, p = 0.0081) were positively associated with eBFP while external eating was not (β: −0.19, 95 %CI: −0.470, 0.096, p = 0.20). Interactions with sex were not significant (p-value range: 0.28–0.64). Disordered eating and dietary restraint were positively associated with eBFP, highlighting the potential salience of these eating behaviors to cardiometabolic risk for both female and male adolescents. Prospective studies should investigate whether these eating behaviors predict eBFP longitudinally to inform obesity prevention strategies in T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitive eating (IE) is an adaptive eating behavior that involves paying attention to the body's physiological signals, including eating when hungry and stopping when feeling full. A growing body of literature has examined the effect of IE on the development of maladaptive eating behaviors and body weight, even though IE is not centered around the latter. However, longitudinal observation studies among the general population are still rare. Therefore, this study aimed to longitudinally examine the links between IE and changes in body weight, maladaptive eating behaviors (reward, external, restrained eating), and overeating frequency over time. For this purpose, we used data from the first (2017) and the fourth waves (2020) of the Swiss Food Panel 2.0 survey, which included 1821 randomly selected Swiss participants. The same participants completed a self-administered questionnaire annually, measuring their self-reported eating behaviors and weight status. IE was measured with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Results showed that women with high IE scores were more likely to maintain their body weights (within ±2 kg) and less likely to gain weight (>2 kg) than women with low IE scores. No such effects were found for men. Furthermore, IE was linked to a reduction in maladaptive eating behaviors and overeating frequency over time in both genders. Results suggest that IE may counteract maladaptive eating behaviors, which can promote weight stability over time. Therefore, the encouragement of IE patterns seems to be a promising strategy to address problematic eating behaviors and the challenges associated with controlling food intake and prevention of overeating. • Women with high intuitive eating scores are better at stabilizing their weights. • Intuitive eating reduces overeating frequency. • Intuitive eating counteracts maladaptive eating behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Neighborhood food cues have been inconsistently related to residents’ health, possibly due to variations in residents’ sensitivity to such cues. This study sought to investigate the degree to which children’s predisposition to eat upon exposure to food environment and food cues (external eating), could explain differences in strength of associations between their food consumption and the type of food outlets and marketing strategies present in their neighborhood. Methods Data were obtained from 616 6–12 y.o. children recruited into a population-based cross-sectional study in which food consumption was measured through a 24-h food recall and responsiveness to food cues measured using the external eating scale. The proportion of food retailers within 3 km of residence considered as “healthful” was calculated using a Geographical Information System. Neighborhood exposure to food marketing strategies (displays, discount frequency, variety, and price) for vegetables and soft drinks were derived from a geocoded digital marketing database. Adjusted mixed models with spatial covariance tested interaction effects of food environment indicators and external eating on food consumption. Results In children with higher external eating scores, healthful food consumption was more positively related to vegetable displays, and more negatively to the display and variety of soft drinks. No interactions were observed for unhealthful food consumption and no main effects of food environment indicators were found on food consumption. Conclusions Children differ in their responsiveness to marketing-related visual food cues on the basis of their external eating phenotype. Strategies aiming to increase the promotion of healthful relative to unhealthful food products in stores may be particularly beneficial for children identified as being more responsive to food cues.

This study evaluated the ecological validity (i.e., accurate measurement of a construct as experienced in naturalistic settings) of the self-report Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Obese adults (N = 50) completed the DEBQ, followed by a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol that included measures of eating episodes and associated intrapersonal contextual factors. Results revealed that DEBQ Emotional Eating was associated with greater negative affect and less positive affect at both pre- and post-eating episode, as well as post-eating ratings of feeling driven to eat. DEBQ External Eating was positively associated with pre-eating expectations about enjoying the taste of food, but was unrelated to actual enjoyment reported post-eating; External Eating was positively associated with the post-eating ratings of feeling driven to eat. DEBQ Dietary Restraint was positively associated with pre-eating intentions to eat less to lose/avoid gaining weight. Overall, results provide some support for the ecological validity of the DEBQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and eating styles are two important, interrelated factors associated with dietary intake. However, it remains unclear whether depression and eating styles are independently associated with dietary intake, and whether associations between depression and dietary intake are mediated by eating styles. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the associations of, and interplay between depression and eating styles in relation to different aspects of dietary intake. Cross-sectional data from 1442 participants (healthy controls (22.7%), remitted (61.0%) and current patients (16.3%)) from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety were used. Linear regression analyses were used to determine associations of depressive disorders (DSM-IV based psychiatric interview), self-reported depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology), emotional, external and restrained eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) with 4 measures of dietary intake (total energy intake (kcal/d), Mediterranean diet score (MDS), intake of sweets foods (g/d), and snack/fast-food (g/d)) measured with a 238-item food frequency questionnaire. Statistical mediation analyses were used to study whether associations between depression and dietary intake were mediated by eating styles. Current depression diagnosis and severity were associated with lower MDS and higher intake of sweet foods and snack/fast-food. Emotional and external eating were associated with higher intakes of snack/fast-food; external eating was also associated with higher total energy intake. Restrained eating was associated with lower total energy and intake of sweet foods, and higher MDS. Associations between current depression or severity and intake of snack/fast-food were mediated by external eating. In general, depression and eating styles contributed independently to poorer diet quality and higher intake of sweet and snack/fast-food. The association between depression and higher intake of snack/fast-food was mediated by external eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food craving is now widely considered to be a cognitively motivated state. Acceptance-based treatments are effective in reducing the adverse impact of food cravings on consumption, via a hypothesized decrease in experiential avoidance. The mechanisms that drive the success of acceptance-based management of craving remain to be empirically tested. This study examined the role of eating styles and thought suppression as mediators in the relationship between experiential avoidance and craving. Participants (n = 298, 51.5% female) completed the Food Craving Acceptance and Awareness Questionnaire (FAAQ), the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI; a measure of thought suppression), and the reduced version of the Food Craving Questionnaire- Trait (FCQ-T-r). Scores on the FAAQ were inversely associated with scores on the FCQ-T-r, DEBQ, and WBSI; FCQ-T-r scores were positively correlated with scores on the DEBQ and WBSI (all p < 0.001). The total indirect effect of acceptance on craving through the hypothesized mediators was significantly different from zero. Controlling for eating styles and thought suppression, acceptance remained a significant predictor of craving. Results thus provide initial evidence that eating styles and thought suppression mediate the relationship between food-specific experiential avoidance and food craving. Findings lay the foundation for future study of the proximal antecedents of food cravings and lend preliminary support for targeting thought suppression and eating styles in acceptance-based approaches to the management of craving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most basic terms impulsivity is defined as a tendency to act without control. Impulsivity has been implicated in the onset, symptomatic expression, and maintenance of overeating. Specifically, high impulsivity and associated poor inhibitory control, along with sensation seeking and reward sensitivity, as well as negative affect have been found to have an interaction effect on emotional eating, which may lead to binge eating and obesity. Moreover, associations between overeating and impulsive behaviors such as difficulty in response inhibition, planning, attention, addiction, or risk taking etc. have been previously shown. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence from psychology regarding the potential role of the impulsivity trait in overeating, with implications on the treatments for obesity and binge eating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressed persons have been found to present disturbances in eating styles, but it is unclear whether eating styles are different in subgroups of depressed patients. We studied the association between depressive disorder, severity, course and specific depressive symptom profiles and unhealthy eating styles. Cross-sectional and course data from 1060 remitted depressed patients, 309 currently depressed patients and 381 healthy controls from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety were used. Depressive disorders (DSM-IV based psychiatric interview) and self-reported depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology) were related to emotional, external and restrained eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) using analyses of covariance and linear regression. Remitted and current depressive disorders were significantly associated with higher emotional eating (Cohen's d = 0.40 and 0.60 respectively, p < 0.001) and higher external eating (Cohen's d = 0.20, p = 0.001 and Cohen's d = 0.32, p < 0.001 respectively). Little differences in eating styles between depression course groups were observed. Associations followed a dose-response association, with more emotional and external eating when depression was more severe (both p-values <0.001). Longer symptom duration was also associated to more emotional and external eating (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). When examining individual depressive symptoms, neuro-vegetative depressive symptoms contributed relatively more to emotional and external eating, while mood and anxious symptoms contributed relatively less to emotional and external eating. No depression associations were found with restrained eating. Intervention programs for depression should examine whether treating disordered eating specifically in those with neuro-vegetative, atypical depressive symptoms may help prevent or minimize adverse health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of mindfulness, mindful eating and a newer concept of intuitive eating in modulating eating habits is an area of increasing interest. In this structured literature review, a summary of the current evidence is presented, together with details of interventions undertaken and the tools to measure outcomes. It is broad in scope given the emerging evidence base in this area. The review yielded sixty-eight publications: twenty-three interventions in obese/overweight populations; twenty-nine interventions in normal-weight populations; sixteen observational studies, three of which were carried out in overweight/obese populations. Mindfulness-based approaches appear most effective in addressing binge eating, emotional eating and eating in response to external cues. There is a lack of compelling evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness and mindful eating in weight management. Mindfulness-based approaches may prevent weight gain. Reduced food intake was seen in some of the studies in overweight and obese populations, but this was less apparent in the studies in normal-weight populations. The evidence base for intuitive eating is limited to date and further research is needed to examine its potential in altering eating behaviours. Mindfulness appears to work by an increased awareness of internal, rather than external, cues to eat. Mindfulness and mindful eating have the potential to address problematic eating behaviours and the challenges many face with controlling their food intake. Encouraging a mindful eating approach would seem to be a positive message to be included in general weight management advice to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating behavior style (emotional, restrictive, or external) has been proposed as an explanation for the differences in response to food-related cues between people who overeat and those who do not, and has been also considered a target for the treatment of eating disorders (EDs) characterized by lack of control over eating and weight-related (overweight/obesity) conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between eating behavior style and psychophysiological responses (self-reported food craving and anxiety) to food-related virtual reality (VR) environments in outpatients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) and to compare them with healthy participants. Fifty-eight outpatients and 135 healthy participants were exposed to palatable foods in four experimental everyday real-life VR environments (kitchen, dining room, bedroom and café). During exposure, cue-elicited food craving and anxiety were assessed. Participants also completed standardized instruments for the study purposes. ED patients reported significantly higher levels of craving and anxiety when exposed to the virtual food than healthy controls. Eating behavior styles showed strong associations with cue-elicited food craving and anxiety. In the healthy group, external eating was the only predictor of cue-elicited craving and anxiety. In participants with BN and BED, external and emotional eating were the best predictors of cue-elicited craving and anxiety, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinhibited eating (i.e., emotional and external eating), as well as associated features such as binge eating, bulimic symptoms, and eating concern are inversely associated with the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness, observing, and non-reactivity. However, it is unclear whether higher mindfulness is a precursor to lower disinhibited eating behaviors and symptoms or whether lower disinhibited eating behaviors and symptoms are a precursor to higher mindfulness (or both). The current study examined if acting with awareness, non-reactivity, and observing (describing and non-judging were not assessed) prospectively predicted several disinhibited eating features (emotional eating, external eating, bulimic symptoms, binge eating, and eating concern) and vice-versa across 6 months. Young adult women ( N = 300) completed measures of these constructs at baseline and 6 months later. Non-reactivity inversely predicted binge eating and bulimic symptoms across 6 months. Observing predicted higher external and emotional eating across 6 months. In the opposite direction, disinhibited eating did not predict observing, non-reactivity, or acting with awareness. Interventions focusing on increasing non-reactivity could be effective in preventing and treating binge eating and bulimic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neighborhood food cues have been inconsistently related to residents' health, possibly due to variations in residents' sensitivity to such cues. This study sought to investigate the degree to which children's predisposition to eat upon exposure to food environment and food cues (external eating), could explain differences in strength of associations between their food consumption and the type of food outlets and marketing strategies present in their neighborhood. Methods: Data were obtained from 616 6-12 y.o. children recruited into a population-based cross-sectional study in which food consumption was measured through a 24-h food recall and responsiveness to food cues measured using the external eating scale. The proportion of food retailers within 3 km of residence considered as "healthful" was calculated using a Geographical Information System. Neighborhood exposure to food marketing strategies (displays, discount frequency, variety, and price) for vegetables and soft drinks were derived from a geocoded digital marketing database. Adjusted mixed models with spatial covariance tested interaction effects of food environment indicators and external eating on food consumption. Results: In children with higher external eating scores, healthful food consumption was more positively related to vegetable displays, and more negatively to the display and variety of soft drinks. No interactions were observed for unhealthful food consumption and no main effects of food environment indicators were found on food consumption. Conclusions: Children differ in their responsiveness to marketing-related visual food cues on the basis of their external eating phenotype. Strategies aiming to increase the promotion of healthful relative to unhealthful food products in stores may be particularly beneficial for children identified as being more responsive to food cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has suggested that the expectancy "eating is rewarding" is one pathway driving the relationship between trait reward sensitivity and externally-driven eating. The aim of the current study was to extend previous research by examining the conditions under which the indirect effect of reward sensitivity and external eating via this eating expectancy occurs. Using a conditional indirect effects approach we tested the moderating effect of exposure to food cues (e.g., images) relative to non-food cues on the association between reward sensitivity and external eating, via eating expectancies. Participants (N = 119, M = 18.67 years of age, SD = 2.40) were university women who completed a computerised food expectancies task (E-TASK) in which they were randomly assigned to either an appetitive food cue condition or non-food cue condition and then responded to a series of eating expectancy statements or self-description personality statements. Participants also completed self-report trait measures of reward sensitivity in addition to measures of eating expectancies (i.e., endorsement of the belief that eating is a rewarding experience). Results revealed higher reward sensitivity was associated with faster reaction times to the eating expectancies statement. This was moderated by cue-condition such that the association between reward sensitivity and faster reaction time was only found in the food cue condition. Faster endorsement of this belief (i.e., reaction time) was also associated with greater external eating. These results provide additional support for the proposal that individuals high in reward sensitivity form implicit associations with positive beliefs about eating when exposed to food cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the importance of the home food environment on unhealthy food consumption in children high in reward sensitivity, this study tested the hypothesis that the home availability of unhealthy food moderates the effect of reward sensitivity on children's fast-food consumption frequency, exerted via food cue responsiveness. Children between 7.5 and 14 years (n = 174, 50.6% boys) reported on reward sensitivity and food cue responsiveness (by means of the subscale 'external eating'). Their height and weight were measured. Parents reported on their children's fast-food consumption frequency, food cue responsiveness (by means of the subscale 'food responsiveness'), and on the home availability of unhealthy foods. Two moderated mediation models were conducted, one with the parent- and one with the child-reported food cue responsiveness as mediator. Findings suggested that with a high home availability of unhealthy foods, (a) a higher fast-food consumption frequency was found in children high in reward sensitivity and (b) the relation between reward sensitivity and the fast-food consumption frequency was mediated by external eating.Conclusions: The findings point at the importance of the home food environment in children high in reward sensitivity. They suggest to limit the home availability of unhealthy foods. What is Known: • Reward sensitivity (RS) is positively associated with children's palatable food consumption • In adolescents, this effect is mediated by food cue responsiveness, which determines the strength of an individual's motivation to obtain food when perceiving food cues What is New: • Children high in RS may be more vulnerable to palatable food cues in their everyday food environment because of a higher food cue responsiveness • The home food environment may be an important determining factor of the palatable food consumption of these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Prior studies showed that food insecurity may increase the odds of obesity in children and adults. We still know very little about the familial aggregation of obesity in food-insecure households or the mechanisms by which food insecurity confers an increased risk of obesity to children. The purpose of this study was to compare children and mothers from food-insecure and food-secure households in their weight status, child eating patterns/behaviors, and maternal feeding practices. Design and Methods Fifty mothers of 8-10-year-old children were asked to complete questionnaires, including the U.S. Household Food Security survey, and had their own and their children's heights and weights measured. Results The odds of a child being obese were five times higher for children from food-insecure households compared with children from food-secure households (95% confidence interval 1.15-20.8). In univariate analyses, children from food-insecure households showed significantly greater external eating, both past satiation and in the absence of hunger ( p < .03), and mothers from food-insecure households expressed significantly greater concern about their children's weight and used restrictive feeding practices to a greater extent ( p < .03) when compared with families from food-secure households. A greater proportion of children from food-secure households consumed three to four snacks per day (45.9 vs. 15.4%), while a higher proportion of children from food-insecure households consumed five or more snacks per day (15.4 vs. 0%; p = .02). Practice Implications These findings provide further support for an association between food insecurity and childhood obesity and suggest that differences in external eating, child snacking patterns, and select maternal feeding practices may be implicated in food-insecure children's overconsumption of calories. When caring for food-insecure children, healthcare providers should screen for problematic eating patterns and feeding practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]