Psychological Inflexibility in Spanish Adults: Characteristics of Emotional Eating and the Healthy Eating Index

Abstract

Objective: Eating disorders form a group of syndromes characterized by eating behaviors and psychological disturbances, accompanied by changes in weight and/or social alterations. These disturbances significantly influence social functioning and quality of life. The aim is to understand the relationship between psychological inflexibility, emotional eating, and the rate of healthy eating. Methods: A total of 705 Spanish adults participated (65.2% women); the mean age was 27.21 years (SD = 10.67). The instruments used were Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire and the Healthy Eating Index for the Spanish population. Results: The women showed significantly higher scores in psychological inflexibility than men (p < 0.001). No differences have been described in the Emotional Eating scale (p = 0.085) differences have been reported on the Self-efficacy in Emotion – and Stress-Related Eating subscale, where men do better at managing eating (p < 0.001). Females indicate better diet quality (p < 0.001). Those who show less psychological inflexibility obtain emotional eating scores indicative of less coping with emotions through food (p < 0.001). Groups formed according to psychological inflexibility do not differ in diet quality (p = 0.898). Conclusion: The importance of psychological inflexibility is due to its role and strong association with a variety of problems related to eating behavior, but especially because it is a construct that can be intervened upon and modified.