Examination of the interpersonal model of loss of control eating in the laboratory

Abstract

Background The interpersonal model of loss of control (LOC) eating proposes that interpersonal problems lead to negative affect, which in turn contributes to the onset and/or persistence of LOC eating. Despite preliminary support, there are no data examining the construct validity of the interpersonal model of LOC eating using temporally sensitive reports of social stress, distinct negative affective states, and laboratory energy intake. Method 117 healthy adolescent girls (BMI: 75th–97th %ile) were recruited for a prevention trial targeting excess weight gain in adolescent girls who reported LOC eating. Prior to the intervention, participants completed questionnaires of recent social stress and consumed lunch from a multi-item laboratory test meal. Immediately before the test meal, participants completed a questionnaire of five negative affective states (anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, anxiety). Bootstrapping mediation models were conducted to evaluate pre-meal negative affect states as explanatory mediators of the association between recent social stress and palatable (desserts and snack-type) food intake. All analyses adjusted for age, race, pubertal stage, height, fat mass percentage, and lean mass. Results Pre-meal state anxiety was a significant mediator for recent social stress and palatable food intake (ps < .05). By contrast, pre-meal state anger, confusion, depression, and fatigue did not mediate the relationship between social stress and palatable food intake (ps > .05). Discussion Pre-meal anxiety appears to be the salient mood state for the interpersonal model among adolescent girls with LOC eating. Interventions that focus on improving both social functioning and anxiety may prove most effective at preventing and/or ameliorating disordered eating and obesity in these adolescents.

Associations between latent trait negative affect and patterns of food‐intake among girls with loss‐of‐control eating

“…A secondary analysis of data from girls ages 12 to 17 years with BMI between the 75th–97th percentile and reports of at least one episode of LOC‐eating within the past month (http://clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT00680979) was conducted. Inclusion/exclusion criteria have been described (Tanofsky‐Kraff et al, ), and other baseline data from this trial have been published (Glasofer et al, ; Jaramillo et al, ; Ranzenhofer et al, ; Shank et al, ) focusing on self‐efficacy, family functioning, and state NA in relation to laboratory eating patterns. Data were collected from participants before initiating a prevention program.…”

Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Youth with Overweight and Obesity: Implications for Treatment

“…Lower social competence has been linked with obesity development and treatment studies suggest social skills development and improved social interaction may be particularly helpful for children with adjustment and anxiety issues in weight management [89, 90]. Social connectedness and interpersonal communication skills should be effective for the prevention and treatment of disordered eating as well, as social stress has been identified as a trigger for binge eating [91] and therapies designed to improve interpersonal relationships with peers have been demonstrated as effective for reduction of disordered eating in adolescents [92]. …”

An examination of the associations between pediatric loss of control eating, anxiety, and body composition in children and adolescents

“…LOC eating is associated with more anxiety symptoms in youth (Glasofer, et al, 2007; Goossens, et al, 2009; Morgan, et al, 2002; Shomaker, et al, 2010). Further, at least one study has shown that anxiety is the most salient mood state among youth with LOC eating (Shank, et al, 2017). Additionally, another study found that anxiety, but not depression, was associated with LOC eating in youth with overweight (Goossens, et al, 2009).…”

“…Moreover, socio-emotional neural circuits that commonly distinguish youth with anxiety from healthy controls may be relevant for youth who report LOC eating. Girls with overweight or obesity with reported LOC eating showed less activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex compared to girls without LOC eating (Shank, et al, 2017). Furthermore, a relationship between fusiform face activation and greater energy intake after exposure to peer rejection was observed only among those with LOC eating (Jarcho, et al, 2015).…”

“…Exploring these associations in a non-treatment sample is an important step in identifying those at particular risk for obesity so that early preventive interventions may be developed. Based on affect regulation theory (Hawkins & Clement, 1984; Kenardy, et al, 1996), and recent data (Jarcho, et al, 2015; Shank, et al, 2017; Tanofsky-Kraff, et al, 2016) we hypothesized that LOC eating would mediate the association between child- and parent-report of child anxiety and body weight/fat. Specifically, those who experience high levels of anxiety would be more likely to engage in LOC eating that would be associated with greater body weight/fat.…”