Emotional eating and psychosocial mediators in women with obesity who increased physical activity

Effects of behavioral obesity treatments on changes in emotional eating (EmEat) and its psychological correlates in women who increased their physical activity (PA) was evaluated. Women with obesity, who increased their PA from baseline to Month 3 by the equivalent of three walks/week, were randomized into weight-loss treatments with either a cognitive behavioral (n = 40) or educational (n = 35) focus. They completed a series of theory-based psychological surveys at baseline and Month 3 and had their weight measured at intervals over 24 months. The significant association of treatment type and 3-month change in EmEat was significantly mediated by changes in eating-related self-efficacy, negative mood, eating-related self-regulation, and body satisfaction. Only self-efficacy change was a significant independent mediator. In subsequent analyses, changes in mood and self-regulation independently explained significant portions of the variance in eating-related self-efficacy change. Reduction in EmEat significantly predicted weight-loss. Although psychological changes associated with moderate increases in PA have been a consistent predictor of reductions in EmEat, this research supported the effects of cognitive behavioral processes (e.g., self-regulation; self-efficacy) beyond PA-associated biochemical effects. Associations between reductions in EmEat and weight reinforced the practical utility of the findings. Targets for future behavioral obesity treatments were elucidated.