Effects of Emotions on Eating Behaviors

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 4 Sayı: 2, 251 - 262, 31.12.2025

Ayşenur Levent , Güliz Coşkun

https://doi.org/10.58625/jfng-3077

Öz

Emotional eating is a multidimensional behavior in which individuals alter their food intake in response to negative or positive emotional states. It can manifest as overeating, eating without hunger, or consuming specific foods excessively. Traditionally, emotional eating has been associated with negative emotions such as stress, anger, sadness, and depression. These emotional states often lead individuals to eat more. However, recent experimental studies have demonstrated that positive emotions can also trigger emotional eating behavior. People may be inclined to consume sweet or sugary foods when they feel happy or are in a pleasant mood. Emotional eating is not limited to obese individuals; it can also be observed in those with normal weight, individuals on a diet, or those who avoid eating due to fear of weight gain. Therefore, emotional eating should be considered as a complex behavior that affects people across differenage and weight groups and has psychological, emotional, and social dimensions. This study aims to clarify the fundamental concepts of emotional eating, identify at-risk groups, and particularly explore the effects of positive emotions on eating behavior. This literature-based evaluation indicates that emotional eating is influenced by both negative and positive emotional states. Further research on this topic will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying emotional eating.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Emotional eating , eating behavior , eating disorders.

Duyguların Yeme Davranışları Üzerindeki Etkisi

Öz

Duygusal yeme, bireylerin olumsuz veya olumlu duygusal durumlara yanıt olarak yiyecek tüketimlerini değiştirmesiyle ortaya çıkan çok boyutlu bir davranış biçimidir. Bu durum, aşırı yemek yeme, açlık yokken yemek yeme veya belirli yiyecekleri aşırı tüketme şeklinde kendini gösterebilir. Geleneksel olarak duygusal yeme, stres, öfke, üzüntü ve depresyon gibi olumsuz duygularla ilişkilendirilmiştir. Bu duygusal durumlar bireylerin daha fazla yemek yeme eğiliminde olmalarına yol açmaktadır. Ancak son yıllarda yapılan deneysel çalışmalar, olumlu duyguların da duygusal yeme davranışını tetikleyebileceğini göstermiştir. Bireyler mutlu veya keyifli olduklarında özellikle şekerli ve tatlı yiyeceklere yönelebilmektedir. Duygusal yeme yalnızca obez bireylerde değil, normal kilolu, diyet yapan veya kilo alma endişesi taşıyan kişilerde de görülebilir. Bu nedenle duygusal yeme, farklı yaş ve kilo gruplarını etkileyen, psikolojik, duygusal ve sosyal boyutları olan bir yeme davranışı olarak değerlendirilmelidir. Bu çalışma, duygusal yemenin temel kavramlarını, risk gruplarını ve özellikle olumlu duyguların yeme üzerindeki etkilerini açıklamayı amaçlamaktadır. Literatür temelli değerlendirme, duygusal yemenin hem olumsuz hem de olumlu duygularla ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Konuya ilişkin daha fazla araştırma yapılması, duygusal yemenin altında yatan mekanizmaların daha iyi anlaşılmasına katkı sağlayacaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Duygusal yeme , yeme davranışları , yeme bozuklukları

Kaynakça

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