Previous studies have reported that psychological stress is associated with greater food consumption, particularly consumption
of high fat foods. We are unaware of any studies that have examined stress-induced eating among African Americans (AAs). The
goals of the current study were to examine the relationship between perceived stress and high fat eating behaviors in a sample of
AAs, to examine whether this relationship is stronger among overweight and obese participants, and to examine whether haphazard
meal planning mediates the relationship between perceived stress and high fat eating behaviors. One hundred fifty-nine adults from
a metropolitan area completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Eating Behaviors Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ), a
demographic questionnaire, and body mass was assessed with BMI. Perceived stress was associated with haphazard planning and
emotional eating, but not related to other high fat eating domains in the overall sample. These findings held for overweight and
obese participants with the addition of snacking on sweets. High fat eating behaviors were not mediated by haphazard meal
planning. These findings are consistent with other studies which demonstrate a link between stress and eating. Long-term
interventions for high fat consumption and obesity should include an examination of perceived stress among