Comparison of emotional eating tendency and healthy eating index scores in female students

One of the psychological eating types is emotional eating behavior. The individual, who has an emotional eating behavior, tends to eat against positive or negative emotional stimuli. This research was conducted among 245 female students, aged 18 and over, in which the relationship between the healthy eating index and emotional eating tendency were investigated. Psychological eating behavior was examined by using the three factor eating questionnarie-18 (TFEQ-18) and Turkish emotional eating scale (TEES) . The healthy eating index-2010 (HEI-2010) score was investigated by using 24-hour retrospective food consumption form. A positive relationship was found between the subscales of the TFEQ-18 and TEES. Uncontrolled eating was positively in relationship with energy intake. Cognitive restraint was negatively in relationship with energy and carbohydrates intake. Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with subscales of the TEES and TFEQ-18. The total HEI-2010 was positively associated with protein percent, monounsaturated fatty acids. The total HEI-2010 was negatively associated with carbohydrates percent. A positive statistical relationship was found between the HEI-2010 and cognitive restraint which is subscale of the TFEQ-18. There was no statistically significant relationship with emotional eating and the HEI-2010. Determining the emotional eating rates in the young population and making interventions for these people are important for preventing the risk of obesity in the future. Therefore, nutritional screening should also be evaluated in terms of emotional eating in young people in order to identify those who need nutritional education and to implement effective nutritional intervention. Key Words: emotional eating, healthy eating index, eating behaviour, nutritional habits