Eating Increases Positive Emotions
Author(s)
Abstract
Eating Increases Positives Emotions Emma Smith, Laura G. Kiken, Tyler Kuhn, Joel W. Hughes Kent State University Department of Psychological Sciences Introduction The role of negative emotions in disordered eating has been widely reported, but no studies have examined the effect of eating on positive emotions. We examined the effect of eating on positive emotions. We hypothesized that eating would increase positive emotions, and that this effect would be independent of reduced hunger. Methods Participants (n=59) were assigned to either an Eating or Delayed Eating control condition and ate a light breakfast alone. Positive and negative emotions were assessed with the modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES). Results Positive emotions increased from before (M=1.26) to after (M=1.67) eating, SD = .91; t[24] = -3.07, p = .005, d =.60, and were higher (M = 1.67, SD = .91) than in the Control condition (M = .95, SD = .85; t[57] = -3.12, p = .003, d = .82). After controlling for hunger level, this difference remained significant (F[2,56] = 9.26, p = .004). Conclusions The hypothesis that eating versus not eating would increase positive emotions was supported with both within and between-subject analysis. Participants ate alone, so increased positive emotions cannot be attributed to social aspects of eating. As a daily task, eating may contribute to positive emotions and quality of daily life. Further studies are needed to conclude if eating other contexts would also boost positive emotions. Although the importance of negative emotions in disordered eating should not be dismissed, these findings serve as a reminder that eating also has a positive function with respect to emotion regulation.
Format
Conference Proceeding
Contributor(s)
Faculty Mentor
Joel Hughes
Modified Abstract

Eating Increases Positives Emotions Emma Smith, Laura G. Kiken, Tyler Kuhn, Joel W. Hughes Kent State University Department of Psychological Sciences Most would consider eating to be a basic pleasure of life. Whereas the role of negative emotions in disordered eating has been studied, no studies have examined whether eating increases positive emotions. Participants (n=59) completed an Eating or Delayed Eating condition and ate a light breakfast alone. Positive and negative emotions were assessed with the modified Differential Emotions Scale (mDES). Positive emotions increased after eating and were higher than in the Control condition. Both within and between-subject analyses showed that eating increased positive emotions. Eating may contribute to positive emotions and quality of daily life.