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Research article
Jean H. Kim
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Corresponding Author
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating to cope with negative emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and associated factors of EE among urban Chinese adolescents.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18-24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents were randomly invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire that obtained background information, emotional eating subscale of Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with emotional eating.
Results
There was nearly a four-fold higher likelihood of EE among females (14.8%) compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR=3.7). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with EE among males (OR=10.1) while for females, EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR=3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR=44.5) and having at least mild stress (OR=5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with EE for either gender. Higher EE scores were associated with worse perceived health and worse life satisfaction in both genders and associated with higher BMI among females.
Conclusions
This study revealed that EE is prevalent in female Chinese university students and not uncommon in male students. To address disordered eating, regional health promotion programmes may strategically target those at high-risk for depression.
Keywords
Eating disorder, Eating behavior; Emotional eating
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Version 1
Posted 19 Nov, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 13 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 07 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 07 Dec, 2020
Review #3 received
Received 01 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 17 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 14 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 12 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 11 Nov, 2020
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On 11 Nov, 2020
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On 11 Nov, 2020
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Public Health.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Jean H. Kim
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Version 1
Posted 19 Nov, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 13 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 07 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 07 Dec, 2020
Review #3 received
Received 01 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 17 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 16 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 14 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 12 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 11 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 11 Nov, 2020
Editor invited
On 11 Nov, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Background
Emotional eating (EE), defined as eating to cope with negative emotions, has been previously associated with poor diet and obesity. Since there are limited data from non-Western populations, this study aims to examine the prevalence and associated factors of EE among urban Chinese adolescents.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 424 university students (aged 18-24 years) from two large universities in Hong Kong in 2019. Respondents were randomly invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire that obtained background information, emotional eating subscale of Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Two-sample independent t-test and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the association of study variables with emotional eating.
Results
There was nearly a four-fold higher likelihood of EE among females (14.8%) compared with their male counterparts (4.5%) (OR=3.7). Having at least mild depressive symptoms was the only independent factor associated with EE among males (OR=10.1) while for females, EE was independently associated with not having a romantic partner (OR=3.45), having depressive symptoms (OR=44.5) and having at least mild stress (OR=5.65). Anxiety levels were not independently associated with EE for either gender. Higher EE scores were associated with worse perceived health and worse life satisfaction in both genders and associated with higher BMI among females.
Conclusions
This study revealed that EE is prevalent in female Chinese university students and not uncommon in male students. To address disordered eating, regional health promotion programmes may strategically target those at high-risk for depression.
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