Cognitive Fusion and Emotional Eating among Adolescents with Obesity: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

Anna Guerrini Usubini, Michela Bottacchi, Diana Caroli, Gianluca Castelnuovo () and Alessandro Sartorio
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Anna Guerrini Usubini: Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy
Michela Bottacchi: Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 20145 Milan, Italy
Diana Caroli: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-Endocrinological Research, 28824 Piancavallo-Verbania, Italy
Gianluca Castelnuovo: Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milan, Italy
Alessandro Sartorio: Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-Endocrinological Research, 28824 Piancavallo-Verbania, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-6

Abstract: Cognitive fusion and avoidance are supposed to exert a key role in the development and maintenance of disordered eating behaviors related to obesity, such as emotional eating. A large portion of the research has focused on adult populations, while few data are available on adolescents so far. The current cross-sectional study is intended to explore the association between cognitive fusion, avoidance, and emotional eating in a sample of fifty-six Italian adolescents (13–17 years) with obesity (body mass index > 97th centile). For this purpose, participants attending a 3-week body weight reduction program were assessed using demographical, physical, and clinical data. A multivariate linear regression model was performed in order to preliminarily investigate the predictive role of cognitive fusion on emotional eating, controlling for possible confounding factors. Results showed a significant association between cognitive fusion and emotional eating. Regression revealed that cognitive fusion was a significant contributor for explaining emotional eating (controlling for sex) [R 2 = 0.551; Adjusted R 2 = 0.534; F(2,53) = 32.5; p < 0.001]. Even if preliminary, our findings suggest a predictive role of cognitive fusion on emotional eating, and also suggest that cognitive fusion can be considered a key component in understanding and addressing of disordered eating behaviors related to obesity. Future replications are required to expand the sample and collect longitudinal data. Intervention programs for childhood obesity could benefit from this line of research.

Keywords: childhood obesity; adolescents; cognitive fusion; experiential avoidance; emotional eating; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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