Elevated cognitive dietary restraint mediates the relationship between greater impulsivity and more frequent binge eating in individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders.

Megan L Michael, Adrienne Juarascio

Journal: Eating and weight disorders : EWD 2021;26(8):2795-2800

PMID: 33660165

Abstract

PURPOSE

The current study aimed to examine the relationships between impulsivity, dietary restraint, and binge eating frequency in individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis was conducted on baseline data from three ongoing or recently completed clinical trials. 148 participants diagnosed with a DSM-5 eating disorder characterized by binge eating were administered a clinical interview to assess dietary restraint and binge eating frequency and completed a self-report measure of trait impulsivity.

RESULTS

Mediation analyses found that increased dietary restraint mediated the relationship between higher impulsivity, particularly greater positive urgency and sensation-seeking, and more frequent binge eating episodes.

CONCLUSION

While more research using momentary assessment methods is necessary to confirm our findings, results from the current study call attention to the potential role of dietary restraint in the impulsivity-binge eating relationship for individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V descriptive study.

Address: Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street, Stratton Hall 119, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. [email protected].; Department of Psychology, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street, Stratton Hall 119, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

DOI: 10.1007/s40519-021-01153-0