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

See Examples For:

emotional eating

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

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

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

In a study of more than 1,500 adolescents, 34% engaged in emotional eating while sad and 40% did so while anxious.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2024

I think it’s fair to say that emotional eating is generally demonized.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023