Skip to main content
Book cover

Emotion Regulation and Well-Being pp 281–295Cite as

Emotional Eating

Abstract

Emotional eating theory states that negative emotions can induce eating, because eating has the capacity to reduce their intensity. This chapter summarizes the relevant research findings. It is demonstrated that emotional eating is fairly common, but that individuals differ considerably in the quanty of food they consume in order to improve their mood. The causes of these differences are unknown and there is also no clear evidence on the origin of this kind of eating. Theories point to links between affect and food in early childhood, but cultural influences later in life and certain biological factors (e.g., taste sensitivity) may also play a role. A little more is known about the underlying mechanisms. During ingestion, food can elicit strong hedonic responses that improve emotional state, and after ingestion, nutrients may affect neurochemical and endocrine systems linked to emotions. The instigation of these psychological (hedonic) and physiological (neurochemical) mechanisms may depend on the degree of emotional eating. Hedonic responses presumably occur in most instances of emotional eating, but for neurochemical and neuroendocrine effects to come into play, a certain amount of energy-rich food is needed.

Keywords

  • Emotion Regulation
  • Negative Emotion
  • Eating Disorder
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Emotion Regulation Strategy

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-6953-8_17
  • Chapter length: 15 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-1-4419-6953-8
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 17.1
Fig. 17.2
Fig. 17.3

References

  • Agras, W. S., & Telch, C. F. (1998). The effects of caloric deprivation and negative affect on binge eating in obese binge-eating disordered women.Behavior Therapy,29, 491–503.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Allison, D. B., & Heshka, S. (1993). Emotion and eating in obesity? A critical analysis.International Journal of Eating Disorders,13, 289–295.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, L. F., & Barrett, D. J. (2001). An introduction to computerized experience sampling in psychology.Social Science Computer Review,19, 175–185.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, R. G. (1990). The early crying paradox: a modest proposal.Human Nature,1, 355–389.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Benton, D. (2002). Carbohydrate ingestion, blood glucose and mood.Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews,26, 293–308.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Benton, E., & Donohoe, R. T. (1999). The effects of nutrients on mood.Public Health Nutrition,2, 403–409.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, D. A. (1994).Psychology of nutrition. London: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruch, H. (1973).Eating disorders. Obesity and anorexia nervosa. Riverside: Behavior Science Book Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetti, L., Bacher, E., & Berry, E. M. (2002). Food and emotion.Behavioural Processes,60, 157–164.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Cszikszentmihalyi, M. & Larson, R. 1987. Validity and reliability of the experience-sampling method.Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases,175, 526–536.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Dallman, M. F., N. Pecoraro, et al. (2003). Chronic stress and obesity: a new view of “comfort food”.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,100, 11696–11701.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Darwin, C. (1877). A biographical sketch of an infant.Mind,2, 285–294.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, A. E., MacLeod, K. M., Deary, I. J., & Frier, B. M. (1995). Changes in mood during acute hypoglycemia in healthy subjects.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,68, 498–504.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Greimel, E., Macht, M., Krumhuber, E., & Ellgring, H. (2006). Facial and affective reactions to tastes and their modulation by sadness and joy.Physiology and Behavior,89, 261–269.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: an integrative review.Review of General Psychology,2, 271–299.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J., & Thompson, R. A. (2007). Emotion regulation: conceptual foundations. In J. J. Gross (Ed.),Handbook of Emotion Regulation (pp. 3–24). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harlow, H. F. (1958). The nature of love.American Psychologist, 13, 673–685.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Herman, C. P., & Polivy, J. (1975). Anxiety, restraint and eating behavior.Journal of Abnormal Psychology,84, 662–672.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, L. J., & Hawkins, R. C. (1980).Stress Related Overeating Among College Students: development of a Mood Eating Scale. Paper presented at the 26th Annual Convention of the Southwestern Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. I., & Kaplan, H. S. (1957). The psychosomatic concept of obesity.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,125, 181–201.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laitinen, J., Ek, E., & Sovio, U. (2002). Stress-related eating and drinking behavior and body mass index and predictors of this behavior.Preventive Medicine,34, 29–39.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M. (1999). Characteristics of eating in anger, fear, sadness, and joy.Appetite,33, 129–139.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M. (2008). How emotions affect eating: a five-way model.Appetite,50, 1–11.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., & Dettmer, D. (2006). Everyday mood and emotions after eating a chocolate bar or an apple.Appetite,46, 332–336.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., Haupt, C., & Ellgring, H. (2005). The perceived function of eating is changed during examination stress: a field study.Eating Behaviors,6, 109–112.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., Haupt, C., & Salewsky, A. (2004) Emotions and eating in everyday life: application of the experience-sampling method.Ecology of Food and Nutrition,43, 327–337.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., Meininger, J., & Roth, J. (2005). The pleasures of eating: a qualitative analysis.Journal of Happiness Studies,6, 137–160.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., & Müller, J. (2007). Increased negative emotional responses in PROP supertasters.Physiology and Behavior,90, 466–472.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Macht, M., & Simons, G. (2000). Emotions and eating in everyday life.Appetite,35, 65–71.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, C. R., Panhuysen, G., & Tuiten, A. (1998). Does carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor food prevent a deterioration of mood and cognitive performance of stress-prone subjects when subjected to a stressful task?Appetite,31, 49–65.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Marván, M. L., & Esobedo, C. (1999). Premenstrual symptomatology: role of prior knowledge about premenstrual syndrome.Psychosomatic Medicine,61, 163–167.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, I. J. & Reedy, F. E. (1990). Variations in human taste bud density and taste intensity perception.Physiology and Behavior,47, 1213–1219.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, G., J. Wardle, et al. (2000). Stress and food choice: a laboratory study.Psychosomatic Medicine,62, 853–865.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson, B., & Totterdell, P. (1999). Classifying affect-regulation strategies.Cognition and Emotion,13, 277–303.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson, B., Totterdell, P., Briner, R. B., & Reynolds, S. (1996).Changing moods: The psychology of mood and mood regulation. Harlow: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pines, C. J., & Gal, R. (1977). The effect of food on test anxiety.Journal of Applied Social Psychology,49, 774–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polivy, J. (1996). Psychological consequences of food restriction.Journal of the American Dietetic Association,96, 589–592.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Pudel, V., & Westenhöfer, J. (1993)Ernährungspsychologie. [Nutrition Psychology] Göttingen: Hogrefe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slochower, J. (1983).Excessive eating: the role of emotions and environment. New York: Human Sciences Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slochower, J., & Kaplan, S. P. (1980). Anxiety, perceived control, and eating in obese and normal weight individuals.Appetite, 1, 75–79.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. A., Fillion, T. J., & Blass, E. M. (1990). Orally mediated sources of calming in 1- to 3-day-old human infants.Developmental Psychology,26, 731–737.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, J. E. (1977). Facial expressions of the neonate infant indicating the hedonics of food-related chemical stimuli. In J. M. Weiffenbach (Ed.),Taste and Development. Bethesda: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard, A. J., & Messick, S. (1985). The three-factor eating questionnaire to measure dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger.Journal of Psychosomatic Research,29, 71–83.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Telch, C. F., Agras, W. S., & Linehan, M. M. (2000). Group dialectical behavior therapy for binge-eating disorder: a preliminary, uncontrolled trial.Behavior Therapy,31, 569–582.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, R. E. (1987). Energy, tiredness, and tension effects of a sugar snack versus moderate exercise.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,52, 119–125.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, R. E. (2001).Calm energy – how people regulate mood with food and exercise. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tice, D. M., & Bratslavsky, E. (2000). Giving in to feel good: the place of emotion regulation in the context of general self-control.Psychological Inquiry,11, 149–159.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Van Strien, T., Frijters, J. E. R., Bergers, G. P. A., & Defares, P. B. (1986). The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) for assessment of restrained, emotional and external eating behavior.International Journal of Eating Behavior,5, 295–315.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wansink, B., Cheney, M. M., & Chan, N. (2003). Exploring comfort food preferences across age and gender.Physiology and Behavior,79, 739–747.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Weiland, R., & Macht, M. (2006) Emotionsbedingtes Essverhalten bei Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia nervosa und Binge-Eating-Störung [Emotion driven eating behavior in Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia nervosa and Binge-eating disorder][abstract]. In F. Lösel, D. Bender (Eds.) 45.Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (S. 387). Lengerich: Pabst.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, L., & Reis, H. T. (1991). Self-recording of everyday life events: origins, types, and uses.Journal of Personality,59, 339–354.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtman, R. J. (1982). Nutrients that modify brain function.Scientific American,246, 50–59.

    PubMed  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychotherapy and Medical Psychology, University of Würzburg, Klinikstr. 3, 97070, Würzburg, Germany

    Michael Macht

  2. Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, England, UK

    Gwenda Simons

  3. South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3UD, UK

    Gwenda Simons

Authors
  1. Michael Macht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gwenda Simons
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Macht .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Center of Research on Psychology in Soma, Tilburg University, Tilburg, 5000 LE, Netherlands

    Ivan Nyklíček

  2. , Department of Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, 5000 LE, Netherlands

    Ad Vingerhoets

  3. Tilburg Institute for Behavioral Economi, Department of Social Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, 5000 LE, Netherlands

    Marcel Zeelenberg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Macht, M., Simons, G. (2011). Emotional Eating. In: Nyklíček, I., Vingerhoets, A., Zeelenberg, M. (eds) Emotion Regulation and Well-Being. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6953-8_17

Download citation