emotional eating

American  

[ih-moh-shuh-nl ee-ting] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ˈi tɪŋ /

noun

1. eating, often excessively, as a response to stress, boredom, unhappiness, or other emotional condition, rather than as a response to physical hunger.

   Prolonged loneliness can lead to a number of unhealthy habits, including emotional eating.

---

Etymology

Origin of emotional eating

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emotional eating

The first was emotional eating, in which people eat to cope with negative feelings instead of physical hunger.

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

“This type of obsessive food-related thinking can override hunger cues and lead to patterns of overeating, undereating or emotional eating — especially for people who are overweight,” Tufts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

Often we label emotions as good or bad, and this can result in fear, avoidance, and unhelpful coping strategies such as emotional eating.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2024

Sixty-six per cent of women nightshift workers experienced emotional eating and another study suggests they are around 1.5 times more likely to be overweight or obese compared to women working day shifts.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 10, 2024

Indeed, many books and even many dietitians, therapists and other health care providers assure their patients and clients that “When you get your emotional eating under control, you’ll lose weight.”

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023