The Inhibitory Effect of Intolerance of Uncertainty on the Emotional Eating Response

Abstract

Abstract: Emotional eating is a response which is so far hard to explain by literature. There is a need for more knowledge of the underlying mechanism. The present study is the first in addressing the role of intolerance of uncertainty in the emotional eating response. 81 women completed a taste perception test and questionnaires measuring intolerance of uncertainty and negative affect. Hypotheses were tested by conduction a moderation analysis, in which negative affect was entered as independent variable, IU as moderator, and calorie intake as dependent variable. Results showed that IU was significant related to the emotional eating response. More specifically, individuals with a low or moderate IU consumed significant more calories than individuals with a high intolerance of uncertainty. It seems that a high IU is related to more controlling and health approaching behavior in order to decrease uncertainty. The results indicate that a low IU is related to emotional eating and interventions could be focused on this risk group, in order to stimulate more healthy approach behavior.