Does where you live determine how you eat? New study uncovers America's emotional eating patterns

Marcus E Jones // Shutterstock Where you live may influence your eating and health habits more than you think.  Do you savor every meal or squeeze in a sandwich during your commute? Are you more likely to indulge in comfort foods while watching your favorite show or try new foods dining out with friends? Personality plays a part, but a 2024 Hims study shows regionality may also play a significant role in eating behavior.  Hims compares America’s most anxious, automatic, enthusiastic, escapist, and uplifting foodie capitals. What Are Eating Patterns? There’s more to weight loss than just diet and exercise. While nutrition and movement play a large role, there’s also a behavioral component to holistic weight loss. A team of psychologists and weight loss experts at Hims have identified five eating patterns that typically describe people’s primary eating habits: anxious, automatic, enthusiastic, escapist, and uplifting.  Anxious: I tend to eat when I’m stressed, anxious, or can’t sleep. Automatic: I tend to eat on autopilot, while multitasking. Enthusiastic: I make food a priority. The majority of my social activities revolve around eating. Escapist: I tend to be an emotional eater, and eat to escape or indulge in an emotion. Uplifting: I eat when I’m bored, to change my mood, or to reward myself. How America Eats Hims asked people which eating pattern best describes their primary eating habits (selecting all that apply) and looked at trends in major cities across the country to determine if where they live impacts their eating habits. 84% of Americans fit into one of five eating patterns. Here’s how the country stacks up. Enthusiastic eaters: 32% Automatic eaters: 27% Uplifting eaters: 27% Anxious eaters: 25% Escapist eaters: 21% None of the above: 16% America’s Most Enthusiastic Eaters: New Orleans