Which factors influence emotional overeating among workers and students? Is online food delivery consumption involved? Results from the DELIvery Choice In OUr Society (DELICIOUS) cross-sectional study

Emotional overeating (EO) is a complex behavior that involves consuming excessive food in response to emotions, presenting health risks due to poor dietary choices. Research indicates a notable prevalence of EO, especially among females, and its association with disordered eating behaviors like binge eating (BE). The rise of online food delivery (OFD) services has raised questions about their potential role in exacerbating EO. This study aimed to explore EO behaviors among Italian workers and students, assessing the influence of various personal, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors, including OFD. This study is a secondary data analysis utilizing the DELICIOUS survey data, conducted nationwide through social media platforms from July 12, 2022, to February 1, 2023. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the EO Questionnaire (EOQ-5). The sample was stratified according to worker/student status. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics (chi-squared tests, Mann–Whitney tests) and multivariable logistic regression, were performed to assess the influence of key variables on EO. The sample comprised 2853 workers and 898 students, with almost 75% exhibiting EO behavior above the threshold. Several factors were significantly related to a higher occurrence of EO. Positive associations included bad health literacy, female gender, occasional smoking, higher BMI, depression risk for students, and low work-life balance, job dissatisfaction, screen time while eating, and depression risk for workers. Surprisingly, OFD usage showed no relationship with EO. While some findings align with previous research, like the depression-EO link, others, such as the absence of a link between OFD and EO, were unexpected. The results suggest that personal, socio-demographic, and lifestyle factors significantly influence EO, with OFD serving more as a means of food access influenced by individual characteristics, rather than a direct EO risk factor.