Emotional Eating Interventions for Adults Living with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Jo Smith (), Xiao Qi Ang, Emma L. Giles and Gemma Traviss-Turner
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Jo Smith: School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Xiao Qi Ang: School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Emma L. Giles: School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK
Gemma Traviss-Turner: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Background: Emotional eating (EE) may be defined as a tendency to eat in response to negative emotions and energy-dense and palatable foods, and is common amongst adults with overweight or obesity. There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions that address EE. Objectives: To synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of EE interventions for weight loss and EE in adults living with overweight or obesity. Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Adhering to the PRISMA guidance, a comprehensive electronic search was completed up to February 2022. Random effects meta-analysis was carried out to determine the percentage change in weight and EE scores. Results: Thirty-four studies were included. The combined effect size for percentage weight change was −1.08% (95% CI: −1.66 to −0.49, I 2 = 64.65%, n = 37), once adjusted for publication bias. Similarly, the combined effect size for percentage change in EE was −2.37%, (95% CI: −3.76 to −0.99, I 2 = 87.77%, n = 46). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy showed the most promise for reducing weight and improving EE. Conclusions: Interventions to address EE showed promise in reducing EE and promoted a small amount of weight loss in adults living with overweight or obesity.

Keywords: emotional eating; obesity; weight; behaviour; mindfulness; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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