Binge Eating Disorder Mediates Links between Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Caloric Intake in Overweight and Obese Women

Authors

Roseann E. Peterson, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Shawn J. Latendresse, Virginia Commonwealth University
Lindsay T. Bartholome, University of Minnesota
Cortney S. Warren, University of Nevada
Nancy C. Raymond, University of Minnesota

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2012

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Obesity

Volume

2012

DOI of Original Publication

10.1155/2012/407103

Comments

Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/407103

Date of Submission

September 2014

Abstract

Despite considerable comorbidity between mood disorders, binge eating disorder (BED), and obesity, the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine models by which internalizing behaviors of depression and anxiety influence food intake in overweight/obese women. Thirty-two women (15 BED, 17 controls) participated in a laboratory eating-episode and completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Path analysis was used to test mediation and moderation models to determine the mechanisms by which internalizing symptoms influenced kilocalorie (kcal) intake. The BED group endorsed significantly more symptoms of depression (10.1 versus 4.8, 𝑃 = 0 . 0 0 5 ) and anxiety (8.5 versus 2.7, 𝑃 = 0 . 0 0 3 ). Linear regression indicated that BED diagnosis and internalizing symptoms accounted for 30% of the variance in kcal intake. Results from path analysis suggested that BED mediates the influence of internalizing symptoms on total kcal intake (empirical 𝑃 < 0 . 0 0 1 ). The associations between internalizing symptoms and food intake are best described as operating indirectly through a BED diagnosis. This suggests that symptoms of depression and anxiety influence whether one engages in binge eating, which influences kcal intake. Greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the associations between mood, binge eating, and food intake will facilitate the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies for both BED and obesity.

Rights

Copyright © 2012 Roseann E. Peterson et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Is Part Of

VCU Human and Molecular Genetics Publications