Eating as both coping and stressor in overweight control

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Stress is known to trigger eating as a coping response.
• Dietary lapses can lead to negative emotions like depression and self-criticism.
• The stress and coping paradigm, used for substance abuse, can be applied to eating behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test a conceptual model where stress leads to eating for coping.
• To examine if eating itself becomes a stressor.
• To determine if a specific coping repertoire for overeating is needed to reduce negative moods.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 79 women who reported overeating.
• Five instruments were administered to participants.
• A telephone interview was included as part of the data collection.

Main Results:

• Over 43% of the variance in negative mood states was explained by social stressors, coping, calorie consumption, weight control strategies, and their interaction.
• Stressors, coping mechanisms, and the interaction between calorie consumption and weight control strategies significantly contributed to negative mood states.
• Individuals frequently using weight control strategies may experience negative moods after eating, suggesting vulnerability to dysphoria.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a potential cycle where stress leads to eating, which then becomes a stressor, particularly for those actively managing weight.
• Individuals engaged in intensive weight control may require unique nursing interventions due to vulnerability to dysphoria.
• Further research is warranted to understand and support individuals experiencing negative mood states related to eating and weight management.