As human life progresses, eating behaviors change rapidly from infancy to school age. During this developmental phase, the relationship between emotional state and eating behavior has long been a subject of scientific research. Nutrition and eating behavior, which are essential for human survival, not only provide a sense of happiness but can also lead to health issues such as overeating, malnutrition, or eating disorders. Cognitive and emotional factors play a role in shaping an individual's psychological characteristics, which in turn influence eating habits and weight control. This phenomenon is not limited to obese or overweight individuals but can also be observed in many others.
Recently, greater attention has been given to eating awareness to help individuals recognize and manage their fluctuating emotional states. Cognitive restraint can negatively affect body weight and eating behaviors, especially in individuals who struggle with daily stressors and have engaged in long-term restrictive dieting, leading to unhealthy eating habits. Eating behavior related to emotional states is referred to as "emotional eating." There is a distinct connection between changes in emotions and food choices, meal frequency, and portion sizes that is separate from physiological needs. Eating habits can be influenced by various emotional states, such as joy, anger, sadness, depression, and anxiety. However, a generalized explanation of these relationships is not possible, as the link between eating tendencies and emotional states varies based on individual characteristics. According to research findings, negative emotions can have diverse effects on eating behaviors—some individuals may experience a decrease in food intake, while others may increase consumption. One study found that people tend to eat more when feeling depressed, distressed, or fatigued, while feelings of tension, fear, and pain lead to a decrease in food consumption.
The most turbulent period of emotional change in human life is adolescence. Adolescence is the transition phase from childhood to adulthood, marked by physical growth, the completion of sexual development, and prolonged psychosocial maturation. During this stage, adolescents frequently experience positive emotions such as happiness, affection, and love, as well as negative emotions such as fear (related to tangible things, social interactions, self-perception, and the unknown), phobias (heights, social phobia, blood, open spaces), anger, and anxiety. In developing and maintaining healthy eating behaviors, intuitive eating plays a crucial role, particularly in body weight regulation and the treatment of eating disorders. For health preservation and improvement, weight loss is essential for obese individuals. Health professionals aim to achieve this goal through diet and exercise programs. However, long-term research on these treatments has led to the emergence of the "intuitive eating" concept, which is associated with psychological and physical well-being. Intuitive eating relies on recognizing and trusting the body's physiological hunger and satiety signals as a guide for nutrition.
Increasing awareness of eating habits and reducing the sensitivity of food consumption to emotional states are essential for making healthier food choices.
Children who experience emotional deprivation, live separately from their parents, or lack a stable family environment may attempt to cope with feelings of emptiness by focusing on eating behaviors. This can lead to issues such as weight problems, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, aggression, and an inability to take meaningful emotional steps. However, this approach is akin to covering a deep pit with a few branches—it does not provide a real solution.
As part of my 2021 undergraduate thesis conducted at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, at Samsun 19 Mayıs University, I reached the following conclusions regarding children who live separately from their parents and exhibit intuitive/emotional eating disorders:
- The sustainability of a healthy society depends on the well-being of our children, who form the foundation of our community.
- Protecting the physical and mental health of children requires healthy and balanced nutrition.
- Healthy nutrition is dependent on proper eating habits and behaviors.
In this context:
- The likelihood of eating disorders is significantly higher in children who lack a complete family environment and proper family education in nutrition.
- If these risks are not addressed, they may lead to more severe societal problems.
- Increasing the number of specialist dietitians in relevant institutions, including schools where children receive their primary education, childcare organizations, and family health centers that provide parental guidance, would be beneficial for both individuals and society as a whole.
Spc Dyt. Zübeyde SEMİZ
Dietitian and Healthy Nutrition Specialist
