Childhood Obesity and Emotional Eating

AbstractStress and negative emotions pose a major threat to public health, by increasing the risk of obesity. Since the management process for emotions (emotion regulation; ER) is developed in childhood, we present a novel conceptual framework model for the role of ER in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. A narrative review of the literature by electronic database search (MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge and Scopus) was conducted of observational and interventional/experimental literature on ER and obesity and the underlying concepts. We also present an overview of ER intervention techniques. Our model indicates that childhood ER is a link between stress and obesity. Stress along with ineffective ER leads to abnormal cortisol patterns, emotional eating, sedentary lifestyle, reduction of physical activity, and sleep problems. Simultaneously, a healthy lifestyle could show benefits on ER and in developing adaptive ER strategies. In the development of obesity and ER, parents also play a role. By contrast, effective ER skills decrease obesity-related unhealthy behaviour and enhance protective factors, which boost health. The literature contains some observational studies of children but very few intervention studies, most of which are pilot or on-going studies. In conclusion, encouraging effective ER could be a useful new approach for combating and treating childhood obesity. Future ER intervention studies are needed to confirm the validity of this model in children.

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An emotion regulation training in the treatment of obesity in young adolescents: The protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.2.13714/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Taaike Debeuf ◽

Sandra Verbeken ◽

Elisa Boelens ◽

Brenda Volkaert ◽

Eva Van Malderen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Average Weight ◽

Low Grade ◽

Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background: The prevalence rates of childhood obesity are growing. The current multidisciplinary treatments for (childhood) obesity are working, but only in short term and rather moderate. Therefore, research needs to search for underlying mechanisms that can improve the existing multidisciplinary treatments. A possible underlying mechanism can be ‘Emotion Regulation’, referring to “the processes by which individuals influence which emotions they have, when they have them, and how they experience and express these emotions”. Gross (1998) states that these Emotion Regulation processes play a crucial role in whether medical and psychological consequences are developed as a result of negative affect. The research model for this RCT-study states that when high levels of stress are regulated in a maladaptive way, this can contribute to the development of obesity. Three processes are playing a role: 1) stress physiology (cortisol), 2) low grade inflammation and 3) emotional eating. We see that the prevalence of emotional eating is higher in children and adults with obesity, in comparison with average weight individuals. Method: The current study will recruit 140 youngsters (10-14 years) that are involved in an inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment program. Seventy of them will receive an Emotion Regulation Training on top of care as usual. The training itself consists of 12 weekly sessions. After the end of this training, two booster sessions will be given. The participants will be tested pre, post and at 6 months’ follow-up. We hypothesize that compared to the control condition, the youngsters in the intervention condition will (1) use more adaptive Emotion Regulation Strategies, (2) use less the strategy of emotional eating, (3) will report a better sleep quality, (4) result in an improved weight-loss and weight-loss maintenance and (5) result in a better long-term (6-months) psychological well-being. This manuscript proposes the protocol for the Randomized Controlled Trial study. Discussion: This study will add to both the scientific and clinical literature on the role of emotion regulation in the development and maintenance of different psychopathologies, as emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor. Trial Registration: The RCT-study protocol is registered at ISRCTN Registry, with study ID ‘ISRCTN 83822934’. Registered at 13 december 2017; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN83822934

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Appetite-Related Eating Behaviours: An Overview of Assessment Methods, Determinants and Effects on Children’s Weight

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000489824 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 19-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ana Freitas ◽

Gabriela Albuquerque ◽

Cláudia Silva ◽

Andreia Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Childhood Obesity ◽

Family Environment ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Weight Status ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Appetite Regulation ◽

Eating Behaviours ◽

Appetite Control ◽

Mere Presence

Identifying the underlying child-eating behaviours that contribute to weight differences across growth has been a constant challenge. This report reviews the various literature approaches for assessing appetite regulation. In doing so, it attempts to understand how appetite control develops and determines the eating habits in early childhood, and its effects on children’s weight status. The interaction between homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms largely explains the appetite regulation process. Homeostatic mechanisms are mediated by the biological need to maintain the body’s energy reserves, increasing the motivation to eat. On the contrary, the hedonic mechanisms are mediated by food reward, increasing the craving for high-palatable foods and triggering the release of dopamine and serotonin. There are many biological methods (plasma measurements of hormones, like leptin, ghrelin and insulin) and behavioural evaluation methods of appetite. The Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire is most commonly used, due to its adequate psychometric properties tested in several population settings. The development of eating behaviours begins in utero, and several determinants may contribute to a decrease in the ability to self-regulate dietary intake. Examples include genetic predisposition, the first taste experiences and the family environment, a key determinant in this process. Several eating behaviours contribute most to childhood obesity. Among them, are the external eating (eating by external stimuli, such as the mere presence of the food or its smell), food restriction (which may potentiate the uninhibited increased intake of the restricted foods) and emotional eating (intake due to emotional variations, especially negative feelings). These eating behaviours have been linked to childhood obesity.

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