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.

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Etymology

Origin of emotional eating

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

"Individuals with prominent emotional eating tendencies may require additional behavioral or psychological support."

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

One of the dangers that can occur in response to emotional eating is the temptation to diet, which can lead to disordered eating, and eating disorder behaviors.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2024

There is some basis for that fear, because emotional eating is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2023