Emotion‐Driven Eating and Overeating Among Fourth Graders

The Roles of Body Image, Academic Achievement, and Peer and School Factors

Bibliographic Data

ID21354530
AuthorsCheryl L Somers (0000-0002-3177-301X, Educational Psychology Center for Health & Community Impact, Wayne State University Detroit MI, corresponding author), Carla Kevern (Counseling Psychology Wayne State University Detroit MI), E Whitney G Moore (0000-0003-2482-1957, Kinesiology East Carolina University Greenville NC), Erin E Centeio (0000-0001-5465-4243, Kinesiology & Rehabilitation Science University of Hawaii Honolulu HI), Noel Kulik (0000-0002-6229-2489, Community Health Center for Health & Community Impact, Wayne State University Detroit MI), Bridget Piotter (North Central Ohio Educational Services Center, Wayne State University Detroit MI), Alex Garn (Kinesiology, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge LA), Alex C Garn (0000-0002-7824-4027, Louisiana State University), Nate Mccaughtry (Kinesiology, Health, & Sports Studies, Center for Health & Community, Wayne State University Detroit MI)
Year2024
Volume94
Issue4
Pages317-326
Publication date2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13381
PMID37563487
OpenAlexW4385751492
LanguageEN
References cited50

BACKGROUND Eating patterns such as breakfast consumption and fruit and vegetable intake have been associated with academic achievement and cognitive function. METHOD The purpose of this study was to learn more about psychological (emotion‐driven eating) and behavioral (over‐eating) eating patterns and motives, and the roles of body image, academic achievement (reading and math), and social supports (peer acceptance and school attachment), among 378 fourth‐grade students (55% boys) from 14 classrooms across 6 schools within a large Midwestern urban area. RESULTS Results were analyzed through a 2‐group (male and female) path analysis. Boys' overeating (R 2 = 9%) was not significantly predicted. Their emotional eating (R 2 = 22.2%) was negatively, significantly predicted by peer acceptance and interaction of peer acceptance and school attachment. Girls' overeating (R 2 = 13.6%) was negatively, significantly predicted by positive body image. Girls' emotional eating (R 2 = 24.1%) was negatively significantly predicted by positive body image, math scores, and peer acceptance. CONCLUSIONS Boys' and girls' eating patterns are differentially affected by their school experiences.

Academic achievement · Cognition · Developmental psychology · Obesity · Overeating · Path analysis (statistics) · Peer acceptance · Peer group · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access