Abstract:

The problem . The rate of obesity continues to grow in the United States, as well as around the world. Emotional eating has been cited in multiple studies as a factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Research has suggested a possibility of attachment-related components involved in the phenomenon of emotional eating. This study was needed to explore the experiences, influences, and concerns of women who eat for emotional reasons and to contextualize culturally relevant dynamics.

Method . A qualitative approach was employed utilizing Colaizzi's guideline to analyzing phenomenological research so participants' lived experiences could be explored to gain a deeper understanding of emotional eating. The study included culturally diverse female adults, above age 18, from southern California, who identified themselves as emotional eaters. To obtain information-rich cases, part of the inclusion criteria was that the participants were classified as clinically obese. The sample size for this research was eight participants, based on when redundancy was reached.

Results . Twenty-three major themes and one minor theme emerged through careful examination of the data. Some of the themes corresponded with prior research in the field of emotional eating. However, many of the themes were unique, as they connected attachment-related influences that influence emotional eating behavior that have not been explored in prior research. This information may create a foundation for future research on culturally competent treatment of emotional eating through utilizing relevant concepts from attachment theory.