Postpartum Depression Can Lead to Children’s Emotional Overeating

Postpartum depression (PPD) can lead to children’s emotional overeating, according to a study by researchers from the University of Illinois.

One in eight women is affected by the medical condition, which causes strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, and tiredness that persist for a long time after giving birth.

PPD can affect the way a mother bonds with her baby and can result in learning, behavioral or mental health problems for the child later in life.

Now, thanks to human development and family studies researcher Samantha Iwinski, we know that maternal depression can influence children’s eating behaviors too.

Newsweek reached out to Iwinski for comment via email.

Study Findings on Maternal Depression and Eating Behaviors

Researchers tracked families in the Midwest STRONG Kids2 project, assessing mothers’ PPD at six weeks, children’s emotional functioning at 24 months and their eating behaviors at 48 months.

They found that PPD can contribute to children’s emotional overeating through psychological and cognitive pathways.

The findings, they said, highlight the impact of early maternal mental health on children’s ability to self-regulate their appetites.

Emotional Overeating and Coping Mechanisms

“Emotional overeating is about using food to cope with stress or emotions rather than using it to satisfy hunger,” Iwinski said in a statement.

“Instead of thinking about food as a source of nourishment or enjoyment, it becomes a coping strategy for negative emotions.

“If children aren’t able to talk about their emotions or show how they really feel, they may react to a stressful situation by grabbing something to eat.”

In the sample, almost 12 percent of mothers met the criteria for postpartum depression.

“We found that maternal postpartum depression at six weeks negatively influenced children’s executive function with inhibition and emotional control at 24 months and overeating at 48 months,” Iwinski said.

Link Between Maternal Depression and Childhood Obesity

According to 2017–2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), about 1-in-6 children and adolescents aged between 2–19 are overweight.

Researchers found a direct correlation between maternal depression and children’s overeating.

Those who suffer from PPD may be less responsive to their children’s cognitive and emotional needs, which can affect healthy development and the capacity for self-regulation.

Women with PPD symptoms may also engage in appetite fluctuation, modeling this behavior for their children.

The Importance of Early Intervention

The researchers say their findings underscore the need for early intervention and support for women who suffer from depression.

Malka Shaw, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in early childhood development, echoed this, stating: “A baby’s first sense of self comes from mirroring.”

Shaw, based in Nutley, New Jersey, told Newsweek: “This is when they have a caregiver who reflects their emotions, soothes their distress, and makes them feel seen. When a parent consistently reflects on their baby’s emotions, soothing them when they’re distressed, smiling when they smile, engaging with their cues, the child begins to understand themselves as worthy, loved, and emotionally safe.”

When a mother is struggling with PPD, the developing child can experience uncertainty about their own emotions and worth.

“Having a mother with PPD may affect how a child trusts others and themselves. If a baby’s cries are often met with delayed or inconsistent responses, they may start to doubt their emotional experiences,” Shaw said.

“As they grow, they might struggle with second-guessing their feelings, seeking external validation rather than trusting their own instincts.

“The good news is that repair is always possible. Even when early bonding was disrupted, children can build resilience through later secure relationships, emotional validation, and intentional repair efforts.”

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Reference

Iwinski, S. J., Ju, S., Gong, Q., & Bost, K. K. (2025). Maternal postpartum depression and children’s emotional overeating: The mediating role of executive function. Eating Behaviors, 56, 101945.