The interaction between mood and attachment styles on food preferences and motivation to eat in an overweight population.

Obesity is a leading cause of death globally and is an increasing public health concern. To provide effective treatment and prevention interventions it is essential to understand the mechanisms underpinning obesity. One area receiving increased attention in this field is attachment. This thesis aimed to determine the role attachment styles have in the obese population. Part one of this portfolio presents a review of research investigating the relationship between attachment styles and obesity. The findings of the review suggest that insecure attachment styles are implicated in the development of obesity, weight loss and well-being in the obese population. It was found that the relationship between attachment styles and obesity was mediated by factors including coping styles, trauma, psychopathology, emotional awareness and emotional eating. Part two presents an empirical paper that investigated the link between attachment styles, emotional eating and obesity using an experimental design. The findings indicate that mood drives food preferences and desire to eat, with BMI and attachment moderating the relationship