Exploring gender differences in the mediating effect of emotional eating on anxiety and body image

Armed conflicts, profoundly traumatic for affected civilians, have a significant impact on both the body and mind, with these effects intensifying over prolonged exposure. This study aimed to explore the interaction between psychological and behavioral factors during extended armed conflicts by examining the relationship between anxiety symptoms, emotional eating, and body image among Israeli civilians, while also considering the mediating role of gender. A total of 445 Israeli adults completed an online survey that comprised a self-report questionnaire during the Israel-Hamas war. A moderated mediation analysis revealed that anxiety symptoms were positively associated with emotional eating, which, in turn, negatively affected body image. Moreover, emotional eating fully mediated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and body image, with gender moderating the effect of emotional eating on body image more strongly among women than among men. Grounded in the Folkman and Lazarus Model of Stress and Coping, these findings, consistent with research on conflict-affected populations, suggest that emotional eating serves as an avoidance coping strategy, contributing to poor body image. This effect is particularly pronounced among women, who are more vulnerable to internalizing socio-cultural beauty standards. The study underscores the need for gender-sensitive interventions that promote healthy coping strategies during crises and highlights the importance of addressing the psychological and physical challenges associated with prolonged stress exposure in conflict zones.