Cognitive Fusion and Emotional Eating among Adolescents with Obesity

A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15480682
AuthorsAnna Guerrini Usubini (0000-0002-1862-401X, University of Milan), Michela Bottacchi (IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano), Diana Caroli (0000-0002-0727-7470, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano), Gianluca Castelnuovo (0000-0003-2633-9822, University of Milan, corresponding author), Alessandro Sartório (0000-0002-9620-4133, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue22
Pages14855-14855
Publication date2022-11-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph192214855
PMID36429574
OpenAlexW4309006996
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited21

Cognitive fusion and avoidance are supposed to exert a key role in the development and maintenance of disordered eating behaviors related to obesity, such as emotional eating. A large portion of the research has focused on adult populations, while few data are available on adolescents so far. The current cross-sectional study is intended to explore the association between cognitive fusion, avoidance, and emotional eating in a sample of fifty-six Italian adolescents (13-17 years) with obesity (body mass index > 97th centile). For this purpose, participants attending a 3-week body weight reduction program were assessed using demographical, physical, and clinical data. A multivariate linear regression model was performed in order to preliminarily investigate the predictive role of cognitive fusion on emotional eating, controlling for possible confounding factors. Results showed a significant association between cognitive fusion and emotional eating. Regression revealed that cognitive fusion was a significant contributor for explaining emotional eating (controlling for sex) [R 2 = 0.551; Adjusted R 2 = 0.534; F(2,53) = 32.5; p < 0.001]. Even if preliminary, our findings suggest a predictive role of cognitive fusion on emotional eating, and also suggest that cognitive fusion can be considered a key component in understanding and addressing of disordered eating behaviors related to obesity. Future replications are required to expand the sample and collect longitudinal data. Intervention programs for childhood obesity could benefit from this line of research

Association (psychology · Body mass index · Cognition · Confounding · Eating behavior · Emotional eating · Obesity · Psychiatry · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology