The relationship between emotional eating, mindful eating, and depression in young adults

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between eating behavior, eating awareness, and depression in young adults. Young adults aged between 18 and 25 years were included in the study. Questionnaires and body composition measurements were made face-to-face by the researcher in the interview room. The demographic characteristics were questioned through the questionnaire form. Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. It was determined that the Mindful Eating Questionnaire total score and Beck Depression Inventory total score affected emotional eating. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the Beck Depression Inventory total score and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire sub-scores. There was a statistically significant negative correlation Beck Depression Inventory total score and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire total score and sub-scores of mindless eating and emotional eating. In summary, depression seems to be a factor that triggers emotional eating, and emotional eating is a factor that negatively affects mindful eating.