Food addiction, emotion regulation, and self- compassion: the mediating role of executive functions

Abstract Background This research aimed to examine the mediating role of executive functions in the relationship between food addiction and emotion regulation as well as self-compassion. Methods In this study, in the form of a structural equation modeling, 251 subjects (219 women and 32 men) were chosen via convenience sampling and responded to the following questionnaires: difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS-16), Rice self-compassion, food addiction 2, and behavior rating inventory of executive function for adults (BRIEF-A). Results The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between deficits in emotion regulation and food addiction. Also, executive functions mediated the relationship between emotion regulation, self-compassion, and food addiction. Nevertheless, no relationship was found between self-compassion and food addiction. Conclusions Thus, it can be concluded that consolidating the emotion regulation skills and executive functions may contribute to prevention from or improvement of food addiction, thereby preventing the ensuing negative consequences such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.