Abstract
Little is known about the possible effects of regular physical activity and sleep on emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, and cognitive restraint. Participants were 162 adults aged 19 to 75 years enrolled in a weight-loss program. This cross-sectional study investigated baseline data to evaluate associations among self-reported physical activity, perceived stress, and sleep on eating behaviors. Stress, gender, working 40 or more hours a week, and lack of sleep were associated with greater emotional eating while getting the recommended amount of physical activity was associated with lower emotional eating. Increasing physical activity to recommended levels, reducing stress, having adequate sleep, and increasing cognitive restraint as one ages may result in better weight management.