Researchers in Galway are looking for volunteers to take part in a study investigating why people comfort eat.

Comfort eating, sometimes referred to as emotional eating, occurs when people are not hungry, but may be in need of some kind of stress relief or reward.

The researchers from NUI Galway are investigating the potential influence of emotional factors in childhood. They will be carrying out interviews and have developed a questionnaire, which can be carried out online.

"We're hoping to explore the relationship between a range of factors, such as how people learned to cope with their emotions in childhood, or how people relate to others, and how this influences eating patterns and BMI in adulthood," explained Roisín Finnegan, a trainee clinical psychologist at NUI Galway.

The researchers acknowledged that comfort eating can be influenced by things such as the wide availability of convenience foods, however studies now suggest that psychosocial factors, such as a lack of parental support and depression, may play a role.

"We believe that children growing up in an environment where they feel unable to express their emotions may turn to food as a source of comfort. This pattern of coping with emotion through food continues into adulthood and may well contribute to weight problems," commented study supervisor, Dr Jonathan Egan, a lecturer in psychology.

Anyone hoping to take part in this study can complete a questionnaire, take part in an interview, or both. Participants must be 18 years or older.

The questionnaire takes around 15 minutes to complete and is available here.

Interviews will take place in Laois, Offaly, Longford or Westmeath. Anyone interested in taking part in an interview should email r.finnegan8@nuigalway.ie

All contributions will be kept strictly confidential.