Emotion‐Driven Eating and Overeating Among Fourth Graders: The Roles of Body Image, Academic Achievement, and Peer and School Factors

Abstract

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDEating patterns such as breakfast consumption and fruit and vegetable intake have been associated with academic achievement and cognitive function.METHODThe purpose of this study was to learn more about psychological (emotion‐driven eating) and behavioral (over‐eating) eating patterns and motives, and the roles of body image, academic achievement (reading and math), and social supports (peer acceptance and school attachment), among 378 fourth‐grade students (55% boys) from 14 classrooms across 6 schools within a large Midwestern urban area.RESULTSResults were analyzed through a 2‐group (male and female) path analysis. Boys' overeating (R2 = 9%) was not significantly predicted. Their emotional eating (R2 = 22.2%) was negatively, significantly predicted by peer acceptance and interaction of peer acceptance and school attachment. Girls' overeating (R2 = 13.6%) was negatively, significantly predicted by positive body image. Girls' emotional eating (R2 = 24.1%) was negatively significantly predicted by positive body image, math scores, and peer acceptance.CONCLUSIONSBoys' and girls' eating patterns are differentially affected by their school experiences.