Exploring the effects of positive and negative emotions on eating behaviours in children and young adults

It is well established that stress can elicit change in a range of eating behaviours, however, less is known about these effects in children and young adults. In addition, there is a growing interest in investigating the role of positive as well as negative emotions as triggers of food intake in children. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the relationship between positive and negative emotions and eating behaviour in children (aged 9–10 years old) and young adults together with the moderating effects of eating styles (emotional and external eating). A questionnaire design was used to investigate the effects of positive and negative emotions on snacking responses in children and young adults (children, N = 53, young adults, N = 72). Eating styles were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. We found that children reported wanting to eat more snacks in response to positive emotions, while young adults reported wanting to eat more snacks in response to negative emotions. Emotional and external eating styles moderated the positive and negative emotions – eating response relationship. Future research should include both positive and negative emotions when examining the influence of stress and emotions on eating, particularly when exploring the triggers of food intake amongst children.