Emotional eating of adolescent students: A concept analysis

Abstract

Background & Aim: Emotional eating is a concept commonly discussed in the fields of nursing and public health research. However, its interpretation and usage can differ significantly across these areas. To enhance the validity of measurements and inform effective interventions in nursing and public health, it is crucial to achieve a clearer understanding of emotional eating. This study aimed to define and clarify the attributes of emotional eating among adolescent students.

Methods & Materials: This study employed Walker and Avant’s eight-step method for concept analysis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Thai and English databases, including ThaiLIS, ThaiJo, CINAHL, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Based on predefined criteria, 45 studies published between 2014 and 2023 were selected for analysis.

Results: Emotional eating is defined as the excessive intake of food in response to emotional states both positive and negative instead of being driven by physical hunger or social circumstances. The attributes of emotional eating in adolescent students encompass emotional responses, excessive eating, food selection, and coping with stress and mood management. Antecedents included social-emotional problems and perceived stress, perceived self-efficacy, and eating styles and patterns. Consequences involve changes in physical health and well-being, along with unhealthy eating behaviors and compulsive eating.

Conclusions: This analysis clarifies the definition of emotional eating among adolescents, emphasizing its attributes, antecedents, and consequences. The insights gained from this study lay the groundwork for nursing assessments and tailored interventions aimed at promoting healthier eating practices among adolescent students.