Weight-loss interventions for improving emotional eating among adults with high body mass index: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of weight-loss interventions on emotional eating among adults with high body mass index (BMI).

Methods: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed on randomized controlled trials published from inception until 19 March 2021.

Results: Thirty-one studies were included, representing 1203 participants with mean ages ranging from 21.8 to 57.3 years old and BMI 27.2-43.5 kg/m² . We found small-to-medium interventional effects on emotional eating (n = 18; Hedges' g = 0.22; p = 0.01, I² = 61.7%), uncontrolled eating (n = 16; Hedges' g = 0.46; p < 0.001, I² = 71.6%) and cognitive restraint (n = 18; Hedges' g = 0.42; p < 0.001, I² = 75.8%). Small-to-medium interventional effects were only found for emotional eating (n = 8; Hedges' g = 0.45; p = 0.02, I² = 74.3%) 3-month post-intervention, and on BMI (n = 4; Hedges' g = 0.43; p < 0.05, I² = 33.4%) and weight (n = 6; Hedges' g = 0.36; p < 0.01, I² < 10.4%) 12-month post-intervention. Age, male proportion, baseline BMI, attrition rate and intervention length were not significant moderators of the heterogeneity between studies.

Conclusion: Interventions improved emotional eating and weight loss along a year-long trajectory.

Keywords: BMI; behaviour; emotional eating; obesity; weight.