The roles of emotional eating and emotional awareness in weight loss: a treatment outcome study
Given the high prevalence rates of obesity and associated psychopathology and physiological problems, there is a need for effective interventions promoting weight loss. In the present study we aimed to develop and test intervention approaches for weight loss that are extremely accessible, as well as examine psychological factors that moderate engagement and treatment outcomes. Specifically we: (a) developed two low-contact intervention approaches—delivered in-person, over the phone, and via the Internet—targeting either emotional awareness (EF approach) and emotional eating or problem-solving competencies (PS approach; both promoted physical activity and caloric reduction); (b) compared weight loss outcomes and engagement from each of the two intervention approaches; and (c) examined whether baseline levels of individual difference variables were associated with weight loss outcomes and engagement regardless of treatment approach. Both interventions lasted 10 weeks and participants were 132 adult females experiencing overweight or obesity. Analyses revealed that participants in both groups experienced significant weight loss on average, although type of intervention did not influence outcomes differentially. Furthermore, lower baseline levels of attention to emotion and extraversion were found to be associated with greater weight loss, treatment engagement, and treatment completion. The findings from this study have implications for future research on the development and refinement of weight loss interventions.
weight loss, emotional eating, emotional awareness
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign