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Association Between Optimism and Negative Emotional Eating in Caribbean Latinx Adults in the Northeast US

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Abstract

Background

Negative emotional eating (EE) is associated with unfavorable behavioral and health outcomes. Understanding its association with positive factors, such as optimism, may shed light into novel interventions. We examined the association between optimism and negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults, a population disproportionately exposed to adversity.

Method

This cross-sectional analysis used data from the Latino Health and Well-being Study (21–84 years; n = 579). Optimism was measured with the Life Orientation Test-Revised version. EE was measured with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2. Adjusted Poisson models with robust error variance estimated prevalence ratios (PR).

Results

The proportion of individuals reporting high EE was greater in the low (39.0%) and moderate (36.8%) optimism groups than that in the high optimism group (24.8%; p = 0.011). Individuals with high optimism (vs. low) were less likely to report high EE over no EE (PR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.53–0.88).

Conclusion

High optimism was negatively associated with high EE. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings and test interventions promoting optimism for preventing negative EE in US Caribbean Latinx adults.

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Funding

Research reported in this manuscript was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH085653). In addition, Drs. Lemon and Rosal received funding from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (5 P60 MD006912) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1 U48 DP005031).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Andrea A. López-Cepero, Shakira F. Suglia & Tené T. Lewis

  2. Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Christine Frisard, Stephenie C. Lemon & Milagros C. Rosal

  3. Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Tanya M. Spruill

Authors
  1. Andrea A. López-Cepero
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  2. Christine Frisard
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  3. Tanya M. Spruill
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  4. Shakira F. Suglia
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  5. Tené T. Lewis
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  6. Stephenie C. Lemon
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  7. Milagros C. Rosal
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Contributions

ALC developed the design for the secondary analysis, conducted the statistical analysis, interpreted data, wrote the manuscript, and coordinated revisions to the manuscript. CF assisted with the statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and critically reviewed the manuscript. TS assisted with the design of the statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and critically reviewed the manuscript. SS assisted with the design of the statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and critically reviewed the manuscript. TL assisted with interpretation of results and critically reviewed the manuscript. SL and MCR are the study’s Co-PI, developed the study concept and design, led data acquisition, and critically reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea A. López-Cepero.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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López-Cepero, A.A., Frisard, C., Spruill, T.M. et al. Association Between Optimism and Negative Emotional Eating in Caribbean Latinx Adults in the Northeast US. Int.J. Behav. Med. 30, 566–571 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-022-10121-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-022-10121-6

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