Emotional eating refers to a pattern of consuming food when one is not physically hungry, but rather as a way to cope with emotions such as stress, boredom, loneliness or anxiety. It often involves overeating and indulging in comfort foods that are high in calories and lacking in nutritional value. Emotional eating can lead to weight gain, poor health and negative body image. It is important for individuals who engage in emotional eating to identify the underlying triggers and develop alternative coping strategies such as exercise, meditation or therapy to manage their emotions in a healthier way.