Unveiling the association between chronotype and emotional eating in Spanish adolescents: The EHDLA study

Abstract

Emotional eating has been associated with a range of negative health outcomes. Research regarding chronotype and emotional eating among adolescents is limited. Thus, this study aimed to verify the association between chronotype and emotional eating in a sample of Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years. This research used cross-sectional data obtained from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study, including 820 students (55.5 % girls) from the three secondary schools in the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). Chronotype was evaluated using the Morningness/Eveningness Scale in Children (MESC). Emotional eating was assessed using the Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Use in Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Adolescents with a morning chronotype exhibited lower scores in overall emotional eating and specific domains-such as anxiety, depression, and restlessness-compared to those with an intermediate chronotype. Additionally, those with morning chronotypes showed a lower score in the restlessness domain compared to those with evening chronotypes. These findings suggest that adolescents with morning chronotypes may have enhanced emotional regulation and healthier eating behaviors. This study highlights the importance of considering chronotypes when developing personalized interventions for mental health and nutrition among adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Chronotype; Circadian rhythm; Emotional eating; Emotional regulation.