Importance of emotional regulation in obesity and weight loss treatment

Abstract This theoretical study discusses the importance of emotional regulation process in obesity and in the success/failure of weight loss treatment, systematizing results of empirical studies and theoretical developments that have occurred in this field. Although there has been a substantial interest about this theme, it is difficult to achieve a consensual formulation to explain the relation between emotional regulation and weight because of the huge variability in the methodologies adopted and of the complexity of this phenomenon. In spite of all efforts, more than definite answers, studies have been revealing new research paths to be followed in this complex field.