A developmental framework of binge-eating disorder based on pediatric loss of control eating.

Abstract

Although binge-eating disorder may manifest in childhood, a significantly larger proportion of youth report episodes involving a loss of control while eating, the hallmark feature of binge eating that predicts excess weight gain and obesity. Adults with binge-eating disorder often report that symptoms emerged during childhood or adolescence, suggesting that a developmental perspective of binge eating may be warranted. Thus, loss of control eating may be a marker of prodromal binge-eating disorder among certain susceptible youth. The present article offers a broad developmental framework of binge-eating disorder and proposes areas of future research to determine which youths with loss of control eating are at risk for persistent and exacerbated behavior that may develop into binge-eating disorder and adult obesity. To this end, this article provides an overview of loss of control eating in childhood and adolescence, including its characterization, etiology, and clinical significance, with a particular focus on associations with metabolic risk, weight gain, and obesity. A conceptual model is proposed to further elucidate the mechanisms that may play a role in determining which youths with loss of control are at greatest risk for binge-eating disorder and obesity. Ways in which treatments for adult binge-eating disorder may inform approaches to reduce loss of control eating and prevent excess weight gain in youth are discussed.

A Pictorial Dot Probe Task to Assess Food-Related Attentional Bias in Youth With and Without Obesity: Overview of Indices and Evaluation of Their Reliability

“…Different theoretical accounts on problematic eating, overweight, and obesity propose that food stimuli automatically attract visual attention, particularly in individuals with overweight and weight concerns (e.g., Appelhans, 2009 ; Berridge, 2009 ; Appelhans et al, 2016 ; Tanofsky-Kraff et al, 2020 ). An attentional preference for food is thought to have been evolutionary adaptive in ancient times since it facilitated finding scarce food in the harsh environment, allowing food intake whenever possible, and thus increasing chances for survival.…”

New Insights Into Causal Pathways Between the Pediatric Age-Related Physical Activity Decline and Loss of Control Eating: A Narrative Review and Proposed Conceptual Model

“…Although physical activity and LOC eating share intriguingly similar developmental timeframes during which significant changes in these behaviors occur, they are almost entirely studied apart from one another. Consistently, recent reviews of the literature on LOC eating in youth did not discuss physical activity as relevant risk factor for LOC eating ( Byrne et al, 2019 ; Tanofsky-Kraff et al, 2020 ). Nevertheless, mounting evidence suggests that higher overall physical activity may exert beneficial effects on eating behavior, and this is supported by studies in adults showing that higher levels of physical activity are related to better appetite regulation, reduced food cue responsivity, and less binge eating ( Joseph et al, 2011 ; Luo et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Moreover, the mechanisms underlying associations between physical activity and eating regulation have yet to be elucidated. While several factors have been posited to contribute to these relationships, burgeoning evidence indicates acute and long-term physical activity behavior enhance executive functioning, and poor executive functioning increases risk for the development of LOC eating ( Verburgh et al, 2014 ; Goldschmidt et al, 2015 ; Alvarez-Bueno et al, 2017 ; Tanofsky-Kraff et al, 2020 ). Executive functions refer to “top-down” cognitive processes that guide goal-directed behavior and allow for adaptations to changing circumstances, and which are rooted in circuitry within the prefrontal cortex ( Diamond, 2013 ).…”

Behavioral symptoms of eating disorders among adopted adolescents and young adults in the United States: Findings from the Add Health survey

“…On the other hand, controlling for BMI eliminated the positive relation between adoption status and W3 binge eating. Given that binge eating tends to predict weight gain and obesity (Tanofsky‐Kraff et al, 2020), we suspect that BMI is more likely functioning as an indicator of binge eating, rather than as a confounding factor. That the same association was no longer significant after controlling for parent education is more puzzling, especially because past research has shown no relationship between parent education and binge eating in children (Saltzman & Liechty, 2016).…”

“…Diet pill use has been associated with cardiac conditions (e.g., Cahill et al, 2013) and self-induced vomiting has been linked to numerous medical sequelae ranging from mild to severe, including electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmias, and even death (Brown & Mehler, 2013). Binge eating, even at subthreshold levels, may predict weight gain and the development of binge-eating disorder, which increases the risk for metabolic syndrome and other health conditions (Tanofsky-Kraff, Schvey, & Grilo, 2020). The risks associated with these behaviors suggest that parents and clinicians working with adopted individuals should be attentive to identifying and addressing eating and weight control behaviors.…”