Examining Self-Weighing Behaviors and Associated Features and Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Binge-Eating Disorder and Obesity with and without Food Addiction

Abstract

Food addiction (FA) has been linked to clinical features in binge-eating disorder (BED) and obesity. A feature of behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment involves frequent weighing. However, little is known regarding how frequency of self-weighing and related perceptions are associated with BWL outcomes among individuals with BED and obesity stratified by FA status. Participants (n = 186) were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination before and after BWL treatment. Mixed effects models examined FA (presence/absence) before and after (post-treatment and 6- and 12-month follow-up) treatment and associations with frequency of weighing and related perceptions (reactions to weighing, sensitivity to weight gain and shape/weight acceptance). Participants with FA reported more negative reactions to weighing and less acceptance of shape/weight throughout treatment and follow-ups, and both variables were associated with greater disordered eating at follow-ups among participants with FA. Sensitivity to weight gain decreased over time independent of FA status. Frequency of weighing was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving 5% weight loss only among those without FA. Reactions to weighing and sensitivity to weight gain are associated with FA and poorer treatment outcomes in individuals with BED and obesity. Targeting these features may improve BWL outcomes among individuals with BED, obesity and FA.

Time-Limited Eating and Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adolescents with Obesity: A Pilot Study

“…Participants were also asked to complete a series of self-reported survey measures at baseline, mid-study, and three months. Measures included the Nutrient Data System Recall (NDSR) 24 Hour Dietary Recall, Pediatric Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL), Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS ® ) Physical Activity Scale, and Binge Eating Disorder Screener (BEDS) [35,[38][39][40][41][42][43]. Exploratory goals of the study were to compare glycemic profiles (percent time in range, average glucose) between TLE and control throughout the study period.…”

“…Dietary Intake [38,[41][42][43]: Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls using the Nutrient Data System Recall (NDSR) 24 Hour Dietary were conducted in duplicates (one weekend day and one weekday in control and one TLE day and one non-TLE day for those in the TLE groups) at three timepoints throughout the study. The procedures used in the 1985-1986 United States Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intakes of Individuals (USDA-CSFII) were followed, and all recalls were collected in a personal interview via the virtual platform using a standardized protocol based on the "multiple pass" method, which was developed and tested by the USDA for use in the 1994-1996 CSFII in an effort to limit the extent of under-reporting.…”

Potential Biological Markers and Treatment Implications for Binge Eating Disorder and Behavioral Addictions

“…There is a high co-occurrence of FA with BED and similarities between the two constructs (e.g., although BED has been diagnosed as an eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition [ 30 ], it has also been considered an addiction-like behavior [ 34 ]); however, they do not completely overlap [ 35 ]. Some authors have suggested that individuals with BED who present with FA have greater clinical impairment, possibly due to the impact of an addictive process [ 35 ] and, among individuals with BED, those with FA have demonstrated poorer treatment outcomes [ 36 ]. Epigenetic mechanisms, including with respect to early life food intake, may contribute to FA and other addictive behaviors [ 37 , 38 ].…”

Advances and Future Directions in the Clinical Utility of Food Addiction

“…This special issue presents a collection of articles, contributed by renowned experts, researchers, and clinicians spanning different disciplines, that adds to the knowledge on the clinical utility of food addiction and eating addiction. The articles in this collection include reviews [1][2][3][4][5] as well as original research utilizing a variety of methodologies and study designs such as clinical trials [6][7][8], cross-sectional studies [9,10], and surveys [11].…”

“…Two other studies examined food addiction in the context of behavioural weight loss programs. In a sample of individuals with obesity and binge eating disorder participating in a behavioural weight loss program, Wiedemann et al [7] found that those with food addiction reported a stronger negative reaction to weekly weighing and less acceptance of their weight and shape throughout treatment, and the authors recommended that body image concerns be targeted in treatment given that both of these factors prospectively predicted greater eating disorder psychopathology. Gordon et al [8] found that food addiction symptoms improved during a behavioural weight loss program; however, more severe food addiction symptomatology was associated with less weight loss.…”