The effect of Psychoeducational Program for emotional eating behaviour

This study is a preliminary research of Psychoeducational Program for Emotional Eating (PPEB), a self-help program consisted by 4 short videos that including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, emotion regulation strategies, and mindfulness-based practices. It aims to measure efficacy of PPEB in addition to relationship between emotional eating and depression, stress and anxiety. The study was conducted with 52 obese participants, all of whom were women and ranged in age from 18 to 54. The participants were under the supervision of a dietitian, and were divided into two groups, which are intervention group and the control group. After signing the informed consent form, all participants completed the Demographic Information Form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21), and the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ). Following the administration of pre-tests, the intervention group completed the PPEB in addition to dietitian supervision, while the control group continued with only dietitian supervision. Post-test measurements were taken for both groups. The analysis results indicated that PPEB was successful in reducing emotional eating behavior related to positive emotions, negative emotions and situations, and the participants who completed PPEB significantly lost more weight compared to the participants in the control group. However, it was observed that PPEB did not have a significant effect on emotional eating behavior related to positive situations. Additionally, it was found that depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with emotional eating behavior related to negative emotions and situations. The findings, limitations, and suggestions for further research were discussed within the context of the current literature.