Development of an instrument to assess how one copes with stress and emotions using food as it relates to obesity: Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) questionnaire

• Main Author: Eades, Amy Dawn
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2005
• Subjects: Health education; Nutrition
• ISBN: 0542620219; 9780542620218

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to develop a questionnaire that measures how individuals use food to cope with stress and emotions and (b) to determine if there was a relationship between being overweight and how one appraises and copes with stress using food. The EADES (Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress) Questionnaire was developed using the constructs (primary appraisal, secondary appraisal, and coping effort) from Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Refinement of the questions took place through focus groups, expert panel review, and a pilot test. Final data collection came from a convenience sample (N=854) of faculty and staff from The University Of Alabama. Factor analysis extracted three factors that were named Emotion or Stress Related Eating, Appraisal of Resources and Ability to Cope, and Appraisal of Outside Stressors/Influences. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients for each factor were 0.949, 0.869, and 0.652 respectively with a total Cronbach alpha of 0.949. Univariate analyses and forward stepwise logistic regression were then performed to determine associations between overweight and obesity and EADES Model factors while controlling for demographic variables. A total sum score was given to each factor from the EADES Model and then converted to quartiles. Lower quartiles represented increased eating in response to emotions and stress and compromised appraisal skills along with lacking resources. Final analyses (N=822) resulted in two logistic regression models both including race, life stage (age), job category, and gender as control variables. Model one included Emotion or Stress Related Eating (cumulative R2 = 0.265) and model two included Appraisal of Resources and Ability to Cope (cumulative R2 = 0.114). Results from this study indicated that the EADES questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that measures factors related to how individuals cope with stress using food. Results also revealed that individuals who eat as a result of stress and emotions and who have compromised appraisal skills along with lacking resources are more likely to be overweight or obese. These findings hold implications for effective weight management interventions.