Study: Comfort Eating Worsens Chronic Pain, Calls for Dietary Guidance
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings has shed light on the role of comfort eating in chronic pain. Led by Claudia Roche, Dr Amy Burton, and Professor Toby Newton-John from the University of Technology Sydney, the research highlights the importance of dietary guidance in pain management programs.
The study, which surveyed 141 adults with chronic pain, found that almost 40% of participants met the criteria for obesity. This alarming figure underscores the long-term health risks associated with comfort eating. Eating comfort foods provides temporary pleasure and mild pain relief, but this short-term comfort can lead to long-term harm. Weight gain and inflammation can worsen pain, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
The main reasons for pain-induced comfort eating are to have a pleasant experience, distraction, and to reduce negative emotions. More than two-thirds of people living with chronic pain use comfort foods, especially chocolate, for emotional relief and distraction during pain flare-ups. Understanding the psychology behind this behaviour is crucial for developing effective pain management strategies and preventing this negative cycle.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, underscores the need for pain management programs to include dietary guidance and healthier coping alternatives. This can help break the cycle of comfort eating and pain exacerbation, improving the long-term health of those living with chronic pain.
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