Defining in-field overeating: A scoping review

Abstract

Objectives: This scoping review aims to broadly identify how overeating is defined and employed in real-world experimental and observational settings, as well as how overeating correlates to health outcomes. Specifically, we will review studies done in adult human populations. We will answer the following questions: How is overeating conceptually defined? (ex. overconsumption of calories vs. macronutrients, timing/skipping of meals, association with emotional or mental health state, etc.) What thresholds define overeating? (ex. number of calories/calories from a specific macronutrient, specific number of meals exceeded, definition of snacking, specific emotional or mental health factors etc.) What, if any, evidence exists that certain thresholds are more/less valid? What tools are used to measure eating/overeating? (self-reported vs researcher-guided recall, sensor data, food diary/data entry etc.) How does overeating in the real world correlate to health outcomes?

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