The Influence of Chronic Stress and Emotions on Eating Behavior Patterns and Weight among Young African American Women

Abstract

This study examines the influence of chronic stress, varied positive and negative emotions on eating behaviors, and weight among 91 community-dwelling African American women 18–40 years old. Study measures include hair cortisol, Differential Emotional Scale IV, Eating Behavior Pattern Questionnaire, demographic form, waist circumference, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Analysis revealed positive emotions of interest (r_s = .27, p = .011) and surprise (r_s = .23, p = .029) were associated with low fat eating. Negative emotions of anger (r_s = .23, p = .035), shyness (r_s = .29, p = .006), and guilt (r_s = .24, p = .022) were positively associated with emotional eating. Mediation analysis suggests that emotional eating mediates anger (indirect effect = 0.136), shyness (0.144), guilt (0.187), and BMI among young African American women. Chronic stress and positive and negative emotions impact eating behaviors and should be considered for successful weight management among African American women.

Keywords

chronic stress emotions eating behavior BMI waist circumference African American women

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