Psychometric Properties and Gender-Based Assessment of the Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED) in Brazilians

Emotional eating, defined as eating influenced by emotional states, has been linked to the development of chronic diseases. Psychometric instruments, such as the Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED), are crucial for screening this behaviour, and their relevance must be validated in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the FEED in Brazilians and to examine gender-based differences in emotional eating drive.

This cross-sectional study collected data online. The FEED originally comprises 23 items and three factors. Factorial, convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity, as well as reliability, were analysed separately for each gender. Different factorial models of the FEED were tested, and refinement of a model previously applied in Brazil was required for both genders. FEED scores were computed, classified into categories, and compared between genders.

A total of 1274 individuals (54.6% men) aged ≥ 18 years participated. A 21-item model with three factors (Brazilian refined version) demonstrated good psychometric properties for both men and women. A second-order hierarchical model based on this structure was parsimonious and enabled the computation of a global emotional eating score. Significant gender differences emerged, with women presenting higher emotional eating scores. Most participants were classified as having no or low emotional urge to eat, with a higher prevalence among men.

The FEED proved psychometrically robust for Brazilian women and men after item reduction. Gender-based differences indicate greater emotional eating among women, reinforcing the importance of considering gender-specific aspects in research and interventions addressing this construct.