Thesis
Examining hedonic hunger and inhibitory control as novel variables to help understand emotional eating
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Aug 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6986
Abstract
Emotional eating may be one reason some individuals fail in behavioral weight loss programs. Emotional eating is higher among individuals seeking weight loss treatment in comparison to those who do not. This is problematic as behavioral weight loss programs allocate little attention to discussing skills to counter emotional eating. Theoretical models explaining the cause of emotional eating do exist, however, the evidence is mixed. This study sought to further investigate the relationship between negative emotions, specifically depressive symptoms, and emotional eating by proposing a new model that incorporates two novel variables (i.e., hedonic hunger and inhibitory control). Preliminary evidence suggests that hedonic hunger (the desire for good tasting foods) and inhibitory control (the ability to stop responses that are in conflict with current goals) may be important in understanding emotional eating in an overweight and obese sample seeking weight loss treatment. However, little research has investigated the interplay among depressive symptoms, hedonic hunger, and inhibitory control with emotional eating in this sample. The current study sought to illuminate our understanding of the relationship among these variables, by assessing individuals' self-reported levels of emotional eating, depressive symptoms, and hedonic hunger and examining their performance on an inhibitory control task. Overweight and obese adults (n = 125) enrolled in a behavioral weight loss program completed self-report questionnaires and a behavioral measure of inhibitory control pre-treatment. Data were examined at pre-treatment. Participants reported on their level of emotional eating, depressive symptoms, and hedonic hunger. Results revealed that both greater depressive symptoms and hedonic hunger were associated with greater emotional eating. White participants reported both significantly greater emotional eating and hedonic hunger in comparison to non-White participants. Depressive symptoms and hedonic hunger, however, did not significantly interact to predict emotional eating. Similarly, depressive symptoms, hedonic hunger, and inhibitory control did not significantly interact to predict emotional eating. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Examining hedonic hunger and inhibitory control as novel variables to help understand emotional eating
- Creators
- Monika E. Gaspar - DU
- Contributors
- Meghan L. Butryn (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6986; 991014632515204721