P654 - THE RELATIONSHIP OF PERCEIVED STRESS TO EMOTIONAL EATING IN ADULTS

P654

THE RELATIONSHIP OF PERCEIVED STRESS TO EMOTIONAL EATING IN ADULTS

Y. Dilmen^1,*, B. Mozak¹, E. E. Akar¹, A. H. Güzelalp¹

¹nutrition and dietetics, istanbul rumeli university, istanbul, Türkiye

Rationale: Stress is a factor that negatively disrupts nutritional deficiencies and increases emotional eating behavior. The aim of this study in Türkiye is to investigate the relationship between stress and people's eating behavior and emotional eating.

Methods: In the study of adults, perceived stress to emotional eating were assessed., Perceived Stress Scale-10 was used to measure stress level and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18) was used to determine emotional eating status and eating behavior. 

Results: A total of 302 individuals (63.2% female) participated in the study. The mean perceived stress score was 14.77±4.78 (0-32 point), and the mean TFEQ total score was 43.52±6.18 (0-72 point).  When compared according to gender, no significant difference was found between female and male individuals in terms of perceived stress score and eating behaviors (uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, cognitive restraint, sensitivity to hunger) (p>0.05). Perceived stress was positively correlated with emotional eating (r=0.211), uncontrolled eating (r=0.306), and hunger sensitivity (r=0.301), and negatively with cognitive restraint (r=-0.254) among the TFEQ-R18 sub-factors (p<0.05). The results of regression analysis showed that stress had a positive and significant effect on uncontrolled eating, emotional eating and hunger sensitivity, and a negative and significant effect on food restriction (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Increasing perceived stress significantly affects eating behaviors. Emotional and uncontrolled eating behaviors increase under stress, which may lead to unhealthy dietary patterns. These findings underline the importance of evaluating stress levels in nutritional counseling and designing coping strategies tailored to stress-related eating. Supporting individuals with stress management techniques may contribute positively to healthier eating behaviors and long-term well-being.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared