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

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

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

However, by the 12 month mark, emotional eating and restrained eating had largely returned to their original levels.

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

There are many therapeutic interventions that work to improve aspects associated with emotional eating.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2024

They did find that participants who scored high for emotional eating did show some signs of subclinical cardiovascular damage 13 years later.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2023