SEVEN EATING STYLES LINKED TO OVEREATING, OVERWEIGHT, AND OBESITY.

In a Web-based integrative nutrition e-course, 5,256 cross-cultural participants answered an 80-item questionnaire. When the 80 items were factor analyzed, seven coherent and consistent factors or eating styles emerged. Each of the newly identified eating styles was independently related to self-reports of overeating frequency; five of the seven were significantly related to the overweight and obese. (1) Emotional Eating (eating to manage feelings); (2) Fresh Food, Fast Food (eating mostly processed, high-calorie food; less fresh food); (3) Food Fretting (judgmental thoughts and over concern about food); (4) Task Snacking (eating while doing other activities); (5) Sensory, Spiritual Nourishment (flavoring food with meaning); (6) Eating Atmosphere (dining aesthetics and surroundings); (7) Social Fare (eating alone vs. with others). (The Journal of Science and Healing, Sept. 2005)