The Effect of Emotional Eating States on Body Perception and Social Anxiety Levels among Turkish Adolescents

Introduction: Adolescence is a period characterized by rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, during which eating habits and body image can have significant long-term health impacts. Aim: This study aims to examine the effects of emotional eating on body image and social anxiety levels among Turkish adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study utilized the "Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents," the "Body Image Scale," and the "Social Anxiety Scale." Data were collected between January 10 and March 1, 2023, during the 2022-2023 academic year. A total of 347 adolescents (5th to 8th grade students aged 10-14 years) from five middle schools in a district of Turkey's Central Anatolia Region were included in the study sample. Results: Our findings indicate a moderate relationship between emotional eating and poor body image in this population. Adolescents reporting higher levels of emotional eating are more likely to have negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies, including dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. Additionally, social anxiety levels were found to be strongly associated with emotional eating behaviors. Conclusion and Suggestion: Our study provides important insights into specific ways in which emotional eating may contribute to negative outcomes related to body image and social interaction. Accordingly, psychological support programs and nutrition education should be provided in schools, and parents should be informed about recognizing and supporting their children's emotional eating behaviors. Social skills training should be organized, school psychological counseling services should be actively utilized, and future research with long-term follow-up studies should be conducted.