The effect of perceived stress on binge eating behavior among Chinese university students: a moderated mediation model.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated a strong link between perceived stress and binge eating behavior, but the psychological mechanisms underlying such phenomenon are not fully understood. The present study further addressed this issue in a life history framework, focusing on life history strategy and distress tolerance. Methods: Firstly, we investigated the mediation role of life history strategy on the relationship between perceived stress and binge eating behavior. Secondly, we examined the moderation role of distress tolerance on the effect of perceived stress on life history strategy, as well as on the direct effect of perceived stress on binge eating behavior. We analyzed data from 1342 Chinese university students. Results: Results indicated that life history strategy mediates the relationship between perceived stress and binge eating behavior; distress tolerance has significant moderating effects on the direct effect of perceived stress on binge eating behavior and their indirect effect via life history strategy. Discussion: Therefore, distress tolerance skills training and life history-based interventions might be potentially effective ways to reduce binge eating behavior triggered by perceived stress.

The effect of gender in binge eating behavior in Chinese culture: the serial mediation model of body dissatisfaction and self-acceptance.

Introduction: The gender difference of binge eating behavior been highlighted by previous studies. However, psychological mechanisms underlying the gender difference of binge eating behavior remain unclear. This study addressed this issue from a sociocultural perspective. Methods: Firstly, we investigated the mediation effect of body dissatisfaction on the gender difference of binge eating behavior. Secondly, we examine the serial mediating role of body dissatisfaction and self-acceptance in gender differences of binge eating behavior. Here, we analyzed data from 703 Chinese university students using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS. Results: In Chinese culture, body dissatisfaction and self-acceptance independently or through a serial way mediate the gender differences in binge eating behaviors. Discussion: We discussed the implications and limitations of the present study.

Effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior of Chinese university students: A moderated mediation model.

The relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior has been highlighted by previous studies. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying body dissatisfaction-induced binge eating behavior remain unclear. Here, we further addressed this issue in the framework of the sociocultural model of eating disorders. Firstly, we investigated the mediation effect of perceived stress on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating. Secondly, we examined the moderation role of the self-acceptance and emotion regulation strategies on the indirect effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior mediated by perceived stress. Data from 903 Chinese university students were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro. Results indicated that perceived stress mediates the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior. Main interactional effects have been observed when self-acceptance and cognitive reappraisal but not expressive suppression are introduced in the model as a moderator. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Adolescent overeating and binge eating behavior in relation to subsequent cardiometabolic risk outcomes: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Binge eating disorder is bidirectionally associated with obesity and with metabolic syndrome. It is less clear whether overeating and binge eating, or overeating with loss of control, also predicts metabolic risk, and if so, whether these associations are solely attributable to greater weight. The goal of this study was to examine longitudinal associations of overeating and binge eating behavior with cardiometabolic risk markers in adolescence. METHODS: Adolescents (n = 619) in the Project Viva research study self-reported overeating and binge eating behavior in early adolescence (median 12.9 years, "baseline"). In late adolescence (median 17.4 years, "follow-up"), we assessed outcomes of adiposity and blood pressure, and in a subset of participants (n = 270-424), biomarkers of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, liver dysfunction, inflammation, and adipokine homeostasis. We conducted multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and prenatal obesogenic exposures, and additionally for baseline body mass index (BMI) z-score. RESULTS: At baseline, 58 (9%) participants reported overeating behavior, and of those, 24 (41%) had binge eating behavior (e.g., overeating accompanied by loss of control). In adjusted models, adolescents with overeating had higher adiposity at follow-up ~ 5 years later (e.g., % body fat 4.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76, 6.31) than those not reporting overeating behavior; additional adjustment for baseline BMI z-score attenuated associations generally except for % body fat (2.95; 95% CI 1.03, 4.87). Overeating behavior was also associated with higher inflammation and greater adipokine dysfunction, remaining positively associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) (log-transformed ß = 0.42 pg/mL; 95% CI 0.12, 0.73) and negatively with adiponectin (log-transformed ß = -0.28 ug/mL; 95% CI - 0.47, - 0.08) even after adjusting for baseline BMI z-score. Overeating behavior was not consistently associated with other outcomes. Adolescents reporting binge eating behavior generally had the greatest adiposity, (e.g., % body fat 5.00; 95% CI 1.74, 8.25) as compared to those without overeating. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents reporting overeating and binge eating behavior had higher adiposity and poorer inflammatory and adipokine profiles, but no difference in other outcomes, than adolescents who did not endorse these behaviors. These associations were only partially accounted for by higher baseline BMI z-score. These differences may signal increased risk for future cardiovascular disease.

We examined associations of overeating and binge eating behavior risk markers for future heart disease and diabetes. Adolescents (n = 619) in the Project Viva research study self-reported overeating and binge eating behavior on questionnaires completed in early adolescence (~ 13 years, "baseline"). In late adolescence (~ 17 years, "follow-up"), we collected research measures of body fat and blood pressure, and in a subset of participants, blood levels of cholesterol, fat-related hormones, liver dysfunction, and inflammation. We applied analytic methods to adjust for socio-demographics and to better understand how baseline weight could explain the associations. At baseline, 58 (9%) participants reported overeating behavior, and of those, 24 (41%) had binge eating behavior (e.g., overeating behavior accompanied by feeling loss of control). We found that adolescents reporting overeating behavior had higher later body fat and poorer inflammatory and fat hormone concentrations than those who did not report overeating. These associations were only partially explained by the fact that those with overeating also had higher baseline weight. Other markers of cardiometabolic risk in late adolescence were not different among those with or without overeating. Overall, our study suggests that overeating and binge eating behavior are associated with some higher markers of heart disease and diabetes risk.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Healthy Eating Index, Binge Eating Behavior and Food Craving in a Middle Eastern Population: A Lebanese Experience.

Even though bariatric surgeries (BS) are on the rise in Lebanon and the Middle East, the changes in diet quality, binge eating, and food cravings in this region are poorly studied peri-operatively. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess binge eating behaviors, food craving and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) in Lebanese patients who underwent BS in a duration that exceeds 6 months. Evaluation included a dietary assessment of usual diet preoperatively and postoperatively. It included the collection of information on sociodemographic, anthropometric and surgical variables, as well as the administration of dietary recalls and questionnaires to calculate the HEI score, the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Food Craving Inventory (FCI). Participants (n = 60) were mostly females (85%) who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy (90%), with a mean duration since BS of 2.4 ± 1.8 years. Despite improvements in their HEI scores, 97% of the participants remained in the worst category. The frequency of participants in the severe BES category dropped markedly postoperatively from 78% to 5% (p < 0.01). Food craving followed a similar trend, with scores dropping from 50 ± 36 pre-surgery to 30 ± 25 post surgery (p < 0.01). Weight regain, prevalent among 40% of participants, was predicted by BES. Despite the improvement in BES and FCI, HEI improvement remained shy. Future interventions should validate findings in other countries and assess means for optimizing HEI scores among BS patients in the Middle East region.

Association between Visceral Adiposity Index, Binge Eating Behavior, and Grey Matter Density in Caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Severe Obesity.

Visceral adipose tissue accumulation is an important determinant of metabolic risk and can be estimated by the visceral adiposity index (VAI). Visceral adiposity may impact brain regions involved in eating behavior. We aimed to examine the association between adiposity measurements, binge eating behavior, and grey matter density. In 20 men and 59 women with severe obesity, Grey matter density was measured by voxel-based morphometry for six regions of interest associated with reward, emotion, or self-regulation: insula, orbitofrontal cortex, caudal and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Binge eating behavior, depression and impulsivity was assessed by the Binge Eating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale, respectively. Men and women were distinctively divided into two subgroups (low-VAI and high-VAI) based on the mean VAI score. Women with high-VAI were characterized by metabolic alterations, higher binge eating score and lower grey matter density in the caudal ACC compared to women with low-VAI. Men with high-VAI were characterized by a higher score for the sensation-seeking subscale of the UPPS-Impulsive Behavior Scale compared to men with low-VAI. Using a moderation-mediation analysis, we found that grey matter density in the caudal ACC mediates the association between VAI and binge eating score. In conclusion, visceral adiposity is associated with higher binge eating severity in women. Decreased grey matter density in the caudal ACC, a region involved in cognition and emotion regulation, may influence this relationship.

Serum metabolic signature of binge-like palatable food consumption in female rats by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Maladaptive eating behavior is a growing public health problem and compulsively eating excessive food in a short time, or binge eating, is a key symptom of many eating disorders. In order to investigate the binge-like eating behavior in female rats, induced by intermittent food restrictions/refeeding and frustration stress, we analyzed for the first time the metabolic profile obtained from serum of rats, through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In this experimental protocol, rats were exposed to chow food restricting/refeeding and frustration stress manipulation. This stress procedure consists of 15 min exposure to the odor and sight of a familiar chocolate paste, without access to it, just before offering the palatable food. In this model, a "binge-eating episode" was considered the significantly higher palatable food consumption within 2 h in restricted and stressed rats (R + S) than in the other three experimental groups: rats with no food restriction and no stress (NR + NS), only stressed rats (NR + S) or only restricted rats (R + NS). Serum samples from these four different rat groups were collected. The statistical analysis of the 1 H NMR spectral profiles of the four sets of samples pointed to O- and N-acetyl glycoproteins as the main biomarkers for the discrimination of restriction effects. Other metabolites, such as threonine, glycine, glutamine, acetate, pyruvate and lactate, showed trends that may be useful to understand metabolic pathways involved in eating disorders. This study suggested that NMR-based metabolomics is a suitable approach to detect biomarkers related to binge-eating behavior.

Characterizing impulsivity and resting-state functional connectivity in normal-weight binge eaters.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating is characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating, within discrete periods of time. Although it is usually described in obese individuals or as a symptom of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), this behavior can also occur in the normal-weight (NW) population. An interesting premise suggests that impulsivity might contribute to the onset of binge eating and the progression toward weight gain. Drawing upon this evidence, here we explored impulsivity in NW individuals reporting binge-eating episodes through a functional connectivity approach. We hypothesized that, even in the absence of an eating disorder, NW binge eaters would be characterized by connectivity pattern changes in corticostriatal regions implicated in impulsivity, similarly to the results described in BED individuals. METHODS: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study tested 39 NW men and women, with and without binge eating (binge eaters, BE and non-BE). Brain functional connectivity was explored by means of graph theoretic centrality measures and traditional seed-based analysis; trait impulsivity was assessed with self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: The BE group was characterized by a higher degree of trait impulsivity. Brain functional connectivity measures revealed lower degree centrality within the right middle frontal gyrus, left insula/putamen and left temporoparietal regions and a lower functional connectivity between the right middle frontal gyrus and right insula in the BE group. DISCUSSION: The results support previous evidence on BED of altered functional connectivity and higher impulsivity at the roots of overeating behavior, but further extend this concept excluding any potential confounding effect exerted by the weight status.

Factors Associated with Binge Eating Behavior among Malaysian Adolescents.

Although there are numerous studies on binge eating behavior in the Western countries, studies on this behavior in Malaysia are still limited. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with binge eating behavior among adolescents in Malaysia. The study included 356 adolescents (42.7% males and 57.3% females), aged 13 to 16 years. They completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, frequency of family meals, family meal environments, family cohesion, perception of body size, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, perfectionistic self-presentation, and binge eating behavior. Furthermore, their weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. It was found that 14.0% of the participants engaged in binge eating behavior (15.2% in females and 12.5% in males). Additionally, it was identified that high levels of depressive symptoms, high levels of body dissatisfaction, poor family cohesion, and low self-esteem were significantly contributed to binge eating behavior after controlling for sex (adjusted R² = 0.165, F = 15.056, p < 0.001). The findings may suggest that improving the relationships between family members, along with eliminating adolescents' negative emotions could help in the prevention of binge eating behavior among adolescents. The identified modifiable risk factors should be incorporated into binge eating preventive programs to increase the effectiveness of the programs.

Efecto de la ingesta tipo atracón sobre la preferencia hacia diferentes concentraciones de aceite de maíz en ratas / Effects of binge eating behavior upon the preference of rats for different corn oil solutions

Resumen La ingesta tipo atracón (binge eating behavior), es un desorden alimentario que se caracteriza por un sobreconsumo de alimentos sabrosos en períodos breves sin que haya un déficit energético. Previamente se ha reportado que es posible inducir ingesta tipo atracón en ratas empleando grasa vegetal; sin embargo, se ha descrito que el consumo de grasas depende de su forma de presentación. Los sujetos que presentan atracones incremental el consumo del alimento palatable con el que fueron entrenados, pero se desconoce su preferencia cuando se ofrecen otras alternativas con diferente contenido calórico. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron evaluar el establecimiento de la ingesta tipo atracón empleando una solución de aceite de maíz y, si hay cambios en la preferencia de los sujetos por diferentes concentraciones de aceite de maíz después de la inducción de ingesta tipo atracón. Para ello, se realizó una línea base de la preferencia de las ratas hacia diferentes concentraciones de aceite de maíz en condiciones de acceso libre al alimento, empleando la prueba de dos botellas. Posteriormente los sujetos fueron divididos en grupo control y experimental con base en su consumo de aceite y se indujo ingesta tipo atracón en el grupo experimental; finalmente, se reevalúo de nuevo la preferencia de los sujetos en condiciones de acceso libre y, posteriormente, de privación de alimento. Los resultados obtenidos, permiten concluir que es posible inducir ingesta tipo atracón con aceite de maíz; además, la inducción de la conducta atracón aumenta la preferencia por las concentraciones altas de aceite de maíz y la privación de alimento modula dicha preferencia. Estos hallazgos implican que la regulación energética se mantiene intacta a pesar de la inducción de la conducta de atracón.

Abstract Binge eating behavior is a food intake disorder characterized by an overconsumption of palatable food without an energy deficit. It has been reported the induction of binge eating with vegetable shortening, but also it has been reported that differences may exist on consumption depending upon the fat presentation (as vegetable shortening or corn oil). In addition, there is limited information on whether binge eating may modulate preference for options that differ on their caloric content. Therefore, main objectives were to determine whether is possible to induce binge eating using corn oil as the palatable food and whether preference for different oil concentrations is modified after binge induction. First, we determined the preference of the subjects to different oil concentrations; thereafter subjects were assigned to control (no binge induction) or experimental (binge eating induction protocol) on the basis of their oil consumption. Binge induction lasted one month and then a second two-bottle preference test was carried. Results showed that corn oil may be used as a palatable substance to induce binge eating behavior; also, it was observed an increase in preference for higher oil concentrations induced by binge, but preference was also modulated by deprivation conditions, suggesting normal regulation of caloric intake despite binge induction.

Persistencia Temporal de la Conducta de Atracón en un Modelo con Ratas / Temporal Persistency of Binge Eating Behavior in Rats

Resumen La conducta de ingesta tipo atracón, se define como un consumo considerable de alimento sabroso en un periodo reducido y discreto. Los modelos experimentales con roedores que se han enfocado en este patrón de conducta asumen implícita o explícitamente que se genera un cambio permanente en el consumo de alimento sabroso, no obstante, aún no se describe la persistencia del patrón de ingesta tipo atracón, lo cual resulta de interés ya que para evaluar cualquier tratamiento es necesario conocer por cuánto tiempo los sujetos continúan presentando atracones, por lo tanto los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron: a) determinar si la conducta de ingesta tipo atracón permanece estable después de su inducción con el acceso durante 2 horas una solución de sacarosa concurrente con el acceso al alimento estándar durante 24 horas y, b) evaluar si la presencia o ausencia de alimento estándar afecta el mantenimiento de la conducta de atracón. Con este fin se dio acceso diario durante 2 horas a la solución sacarosa al 10%, mientras el acceso al alimento estándar y agua fue libre. Se observó que en 25 días los sujetos desarrollaron el patrón de ingesta tipo atracón. La conducta de atracón se mantuvo estable a lo largo de ocho semanas; ni el acceso ni la privación de alimento estándar afectaron el mantenimiento de la conducta de ingesta de atracón y el patrón de ingesta del alimento estándar se mantuvo similar al del inicio de la inducción. La estabilidad de la conducta de atracón reproduce observaciones con humanos y posibilita el estudio a largo plazo de los cambios neuronales generados durante la inducción de la conducta de atracón.

Abstract Binge eating behavior has been defined as an increased intake of palatable food during a short time period. The experimental models with rodents that had studied this eating behavior had implicitly or explicitly assumed that the induction protocol produced a permanent change in palatable eating, although there is no description of the persistence of the behavioral pattern despite this pice of information may be needed to evaluate any therapeutic strategy. Therefore, present objectives were: a) determine whether binge eating behavior persist after its induction with a 2h access to sucrose solution concurrent to free access to rat chow food for 24 h and, b) determine whether the deprivation level of chow food modulates maintenance of binge eating behavior. To this aim, rats had a 2h daily access to 10% sucrose with concurrent access to ad lib food and water. It was observed that after 25 days subjects develop binge eating behavior. It was also observed that along 8 weeks at least, binge eating behavior was stable and neither ad lib access or food deprivation modulated binge eating behavior, that remained similar to the last induction day. Stability of binge eating behavior reproduced observations with human patients and may aloud the study of long term neural changes induced after binge induction.

Atypical major depressive episode as initial presentation of intracranial germinoma in a male adolescent.

A 17-year-old adolescent boy presented with atypical major depressive episode (MDE) without specific focal neurological signs for 6 months. He had a diagnosis of intra-cranial germinoma, and the atypical MDE symptoms subsided after the operation. However, he had a relapse of atypical MDE 7 months after the first surgery. His mood and binge eating symptoms subsided, but intractable body weight gain only partially improved after treatment. When encountering manifestations of depression with atypical features, especially with binge eating symptoms in male children and adolescents, with early onset age, no family history, and prolonged depressive episodes, clinicians should consider not only mood disorders including bipolar spectrum disorders but also organic brain lesions such as intracranial germinoma.

Un estudio preliminar de los factores predictores de la conducta de atracón en tres culturas: México, Argentina y España / A preliminary study of the predictive factors of binge eating behavior in three cultures: Mexico, Spain and Argentina

La conducta de atracón, el incremento en su frecuencia que incide en el riesgo asociado a trastorno alimentario, así como su relación con sobrepeso y obesidad constituyen un problema de salud vigente a nivel nacional e internacional. El objetivo de la investigación fue explorar, identificar y describir los factores de riesgo que se interrelacionan y explican la Conducta de Atracón, poniendo especial interés en las similitudes y diferencias inherentes a muestras de tres diferentes países de habla hispana (México, España y Argentina). La muestra agrupó N = 258 mujeres: mexicanas (n = 85, Medad = 16.18, DE = 0.99); argentinas (n = 75, Medad = 17.00, DE = 1.24) y españolas (n = 98, Medad = 17.00, DE = 1.36). Se utilizaron instrumentos psicométricamente adecuados. Entre los resultados de mayor interés se encontró que el factor comer por compensación psicológica obtiene el peso β más alto en cada grupo y el análisis de senderos confirma su importancia intercultural. El carácter emocional de dicho factor, su aportación a la prevención y su poder predictivo forman parte de la discusión.

The increased frequency of binge eating behavior, and its relationship to overweight and obesity, expressed a national and international real health problem. The objective of this study was to explore, identify and describe the risk factors that interrelate and explain Binge Eating Behavior, paying special attention to the similarities and differences inherent to samples from three different Spanish-speaking countries (Mexico, Spain and Argentina). The total sample consisted of N = 258 women: Mexican (n = 85, Mage = 16.18, SD = 0.99); Argentine (n = 75, Mage = 17.00, SD = 1.24) and Spanish (n = 98, Mage = 17.00, SD = 1.36). The instruments used showed a good psychometrical properties. The eating for psychological compensation factor gets the highest β weight in the three groups and its intercultural relevance is confirmed by the Path Analysis. It is discussed the emotional nature of the eating for psychological compensation factor, its contribution to prevention, and its predictive power.