Examining the placement of atypical anorexia nervosa in the eating disorder diagnostic hierarchy relative to bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Some individuals meet the criteria for atypical anorexia nervosa and another eating disorder simultaneously. The current study evaluated whether allowing a diagnosis of atypical anorexia nervosa to supersede a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge-eating disorder (BED) provided additional information on psychological functioning. METHODS: Archival data from 650 university students (87.7% female, 69.4% white) who met Eating Disorder Diagnostic Survey for DSM-5 eating disorder criteria and completed questionnaires assessing quality of life, eating disorder-related impairment, and/or eating pathology at a single time point. Separate regression models used diagnostic category to predict quality of life and impairment. Two diagnostic schemes were used: the DSM-5 diagnostic scheme and an alternative scheme where atypical anorexia nervosa superseded all diagnoses except anorexia nervosa. Model fit was compared using the Davidson-Mackinnon J test. Analyses were pre-registered (https://osf.io/2ejcd). RESULTS: Allowing an atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis to supersede a BN or BED diagnosis provided better fit to the data for eating disorder-related impairment (p = .02; n = 271), but not physical, psychological, or social quality of life (p's ≥ .33; n = 306). Allowing an atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis to supersede a BN or BED diagnosis provided a better fit in cross-sectional models predicting purging (p = .02; n = 638), but not body dissatisfaction, binge eating, restricting, or excessive exercise (p's ≥ .08; n's = 633-647). DISCUSSION: The current data support retaining the DSM-5 diagnostic scheme. More longitudinal work is needed to understand the predictive validity of the atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The current study examined how changes to the diagnostic categories for eating disorders may change how diagnoses are associated with quality of life and impairment. Overall, findings suggest that the diagnostic hierarchy should be maintained.

Sex and intelligence quotient differences in age of diagnosis among youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental condition and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Research suggests that some populations, such as females and individuals with high intelligence quotients may be a risk for late ADHD diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Our goal is to advance our understanding of ADHD diagnosis, by examining (1) how child sex and cognitive abilities together are related to the age of diagnosis and (2) whether symptom presentation, current internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and demographic factors are related to age of diagnosis. METHODS: Our analyses contained children who completed the required tests (N = 568) from a pre-existing dataset of 1380 children with ADHD from the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network (pond-network.ca). First, we conducted a moderation analysis with sex as the predictor, cognitive abilities as the moderator, and age of diagnosis as the outcome. Second, we conducted correlation analyses examining how symptom presentation, current internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and demographic factors are related to age of diagnosis. RESULTS: Higher IQ was related to a later age of diagnosis. Higher hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and externalizing symptoms were related to an earlier age of diagnosis. Internalizing symptoms were trend associated with a later age of diagnosis in girls. Higher socioeconomic status and non-White maternal ethnicity were related to later age of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: IQ, sex, ADHD symptomology, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and socio-demographic factors affect the age of diagnosis.

Unsound sleep, wound-up mind: a longitudinal examination of acute suicidal affective disturbance features among an eating disorder sample.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is one of the most commonly reported causes of death in individuals with eating disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the suicide and disordered eating link are largely unknown, and current assessments are still unable to accurately predict future suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to test the utility of two promising proximal risk factors, sleep quality and agitation, in predicting suicidal ideation in a sample of individuals with elevated suicidal thoughts and behaviors, namely those with eating disorders. METHODS: Women (N = 97) receiving treatment at an eating disorder treatment center completed weekly questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation, agitation, and sleep. General linear mixed models examined whether agitation and/or sleep quality were concurrently or prospectively associated with suicidal ideation across 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between within-person agitation and sleep quality on suicidal ideation [B(s.e.) = -0.02(0.01), p < 0.05], such that on weeks when an individual experienced both higher than their average agitation and lower than their average sleep quality, they also experienced their highest levels of suicidal ideation. However, neither agitation nor sleep quality prospectively predicted suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to examine dynamic associations between interpersonal constructs and suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders. Results suggest that ongoing assessment for overarousal symptoms, such as agitation and poor sleep quality, in individuals with eating disorders may be warranted in order to manage suicidal ideation among this vulnerable population.

A mechanistic staging model of reward processing alterations in individuals with binge-type eating disorders.

Altered reward processing is thought to characterize binge-type eating disorders, but the exact nature of these alterations is unclear. A more fine-grained understanding of whether specific aspects of reward processing contribute to the development or maintenance of binge eating may point to new therapeutic targets and personalized treatments. The incentive sensitization theory of addiction proposes that repeated use of a substance increases the desire to approach a reward ('wanting') but not pleasure when consuming the reward ('liking'), suggesting that reward processes driving addiction change over time. We hypothesize that the same may be true for binge eating. Further, consistent with the maladaptive scaling hypothesis, reward processing may be heightened for multiple reinforcers in at-risk individuals but become tuned toward food once binge eating is initiated. In this article, we propose a mechanistic staging model of reward processing in binge-type eating disorders that synthesizes existing data and posits that alterations of reward processing depend on illness stage and reward type. We outline translational methods for testing key hypotheses and discuss clinical implications. Considering reward processing alterations in relation to illness stage has the potential to improve treatment outcomes by ensuring that the mechanisms targeted are personalized to the individual patient. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Individuals with binge-type eating disorders experience alterations in their desire for, and pleasure from, food. We believe that the exact nature of these alterations in reward processing change over the course of illness-from the at-risk state to an established illness. If true, treatments for binge-type eating disorders that target reward processing should be personalized to the illness stage of the patient.

Associations between emotion reactivity and eating disorder symptoms in a transdiagnostic treatment-seeking sample.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) demonstrate difficulties with emotion regulation, and these difficulties have been associated with severity and maintenance of ED symptoms. Although emotion reactivity (i.e., the strength and duration of emotional experiences) is distinct from emotion regulation, few studies have examined emotion reactivity in the context of EDs. The purpose of the current study was to examine longitudinal associations between emotion reactivity and ED symptoms and impairment in individuals with EDs. METHOD: Individuals seeking outpatient ED treatment (N = 265) completed questionnaires assessing ED symptoms and severity, emotion reactivity, and emotion regulation difficulties at treatment intake and bi-monthly during treatment. RESULTS: Individuals with anorexia nervosa or binge eating or purging presentations had higher emotion reactivity scores than a non-ED comparison group. Controlling for age, diagnosis, and emotion regulation difficulties, emotion reactivity was positively associated with ED severity, ED-related impairment, and loss of control eating severity. Moreover, emotion reactivity, but not emotion regulation difficulties, was associated with change in ED symptoms during treatment. DISCUSSION: Findings support that emotion reactivity may differ based on ED presentations and may be an important correlate of ED symptom severity. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Emotion reactivity refers to the strength and duration of an emotional experience. This study found that higher emotion reactivity was related to greater eating disorder symptom severity and eating disorder-related impairment. It may be beneficial to consider the role of emotion reactivity in conceptualizations of eating disorders, particularly those characterized by binge eating or purging.

The validation of a Farsi version of the Clinical Impairment Assessment (F-CIA) among Iranian adolescent boys and girls.

PURPOSE: Although some studies have been conducted to examine general psychosocial impairment in Iran, there is no research to date on clinical impairment secondary to disordered eating in Iranian adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Farsi version of the Clinical Impairment Assessment (F-CIA) among Iranian adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1112 adolescents (ageM [SD] = 15.55 [1.59], body mass index [zBMI] M [SD] = - 0.00 [1.0]; 54.6% girls) were recruited from four cities (Tehran [Capital], Tabriz [North-Western], Kurdistan [West], and Rasht [North]) in Iran. After translation and back-translation procedures, the F-CIA, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) were administered to adolescents. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), measurement invariance, independent samples t tests, Pearson correlation, chi-square tests, and internal consistency to test validity and reliability. RESULTS: CFA indicated that F-CIA demonstrated good fit to the data and supported a three-factor model. The scale was invariant across gender and zBMI. The F-CIA had good internal consistency (αs = 0.76-0.93) and positive associations (rs = 0.13-0.62; p < 0.001) with zBMI, disordered eating symptoms, and binge/purge symptoms. We found no gender differences across mean scores on the F-CIA, but adolescents with higher zBMI reported higher scores on the F-CIA relative to those with lower zBMIs. Finally, adolescents scoring above CIA cutoffs reported higher zBMI, disordered eating outcomes, and depression. CONCLUSION: Findings suggested that the F-CIA is a reliable and valid measure of clinical eating disorder-related impairment in Iranian adolescents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Evidence obtained from well-designed observational study, including case-control design for relevant aspects of the study.

Dynamic associations between interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation in a sample of individuals with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Over half of individuals with eating disorders experience suicidal ideation at some point in their lives, yet few longitudinal studies have examined predictors of ideation in this at-risk group. Moreover, prospective research has focused on relatively distal or trait-level factors that are informative for distinguishing who is most at risk but not when. Little is known about more proximal or state-level risk factors that fluctuate within an individual, which is critical for determining when a person is most likely to engage in suicidal behaviors. METHODS: Women (N = 97) receiving treatment for their eating disorder completed questionnaires weekly to assess suicidal ideation and interpersonal constructs (i.e. perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness) theorized to be proximal predictors of suicidal desire. Longitudinal multilevel models were conducted to examine both within- and between-person predictors of suicidal ideation across 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant within-person effects for burdensomeness (ß = 0.06; p < 0.001) indicate that when individuals have greater feelings of burdensomeness compared to their own average, they also experience higher suicidal ideation. We did not find any significant influence of thwarted belongingness or the interaction between burdensomeness and belongingness on suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to examine dynamic associations between interpersonal constructs and suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders. Results are only partially consistent with the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and suggest that short-term changes in burdensomeness may impact suicidal behavior in individuals with eating disorders.

Weight misperception and its associations with eating disorder symptoms over the course of residential eating disorder treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Although individuals with eating disorders (EDs) often experience significant body dissatisfaction and perceptual body image distortions, the presence and impact of weight misperception in clinical samples have been minimally examined. The aims of this study were to quantify weight misperception in individuals with EDs, examine whether weight misperception predicts ED severity at treatment discharge, and explore changes in weight misperception across treatment. METHOD: Participants were 98 women seeking residential treatment for their ED who reported weekly on their perceived weight. Objectively measured weight was subtracted from perceived weight to determine weekly "weight misperception." Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) at intake and discharge to assess ED severity. Weight misperception at intake and change in weight misperception over treatment were examined as predictors of ED pathology at discharge. RESULTS: Approximately 74.5% of the sample overestimated their weight, with an average weight misperception of 2.7 (SD = 5.6) pounds (1.2 kg; SD = 2.5). Weight misperception spanned from -6.2 to 43.6 pounds (-2.8 to 19.8 kg) and did not differ based on ED diagnosis. On average, weight misperception increased throughout treatment. Greater weight misperception at intake as well as greater increases in weight misperception over treatment significantly predicted EDE-Q scores at discharge. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight that weight misperception is not limited to underweight patients. Misperceiving one's weight may predict symptom severity across a range of EDs, and future research is needed to examine whether targeting weight misperception during residential treatment could improve treatment outcomes for individuals with EDs.

The association between leptin and weight maintenance outcome in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Relapse after weight restoration in anorexia nervosa (AN) is a critical problem. Higher body fat percentage after weight gain has been shown to predict better weight maintenance outcome. Leptin, a fat-derived hormone, has been associated with progress during weight gain, but its association with weight maintenance is unknown. This study aims to determine whether leptin levels after weight restoration in AN are associated with weight maintenance. METHOD: Participants were 41 women with AN hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Participants were evaluated 2-4 weeks after weight restoration to body mass index (BMI) ≥ 19.5 kg/m2 for plasma leptin and body composition. Weight maintenance outcome was defined by whether a participant maintained a BMI of at least 18.5 kg/m2 at the end of 1 year following hospital discharge. RESULTS: Twenty (48.8%) out of 41 patients maintained their weight at 1 year. Percent body fat and leptin were significantly higher in the group who maintained weight (body fat, p = .004, Hedges' g = 0.944; log-leptin, p = .010, Hedges' g = 0.821), but there were no differences in predischarge BMI, duration of illness, and duration of amenorrhea. Using regression modeling, only higher log-leptin (pWald = .021) and percent body fat (pWald = .010), as well as fat-adjusted leptin (pWald = .029), independently predicted weight maintenance at 1 year. DISCUSSIONS: Our findings suggest that for acutely-weight restored women with AN, higher predischarge leptin measurements are associated with better outcome in the year following treatment. Prospective studies examining leptin as well as other parameters of metabolic health could offer insights into biomarkers that may improve clinical outcomes.

Mixture Modeling to Characterize Anorexia Nervosa: Integrating Personality and Eating Disorder Psychopathology.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to examine alternative classifications (e.g., personality) of anorexia nervosa (AN) using empirical techniques are crucial to elucidate diverse symptom presentations, personality traits, and psychiatric comorbidities. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to use an empirical approach (mixture modeling) to test an alternative classification of AN as categorical, dimensional, or hybrid categorical-dimensional construct based on the co-occurrence of personality psychopathology and eating disorder clinical presentation. METHODS: Patients with AN (N = 194) completed interviews and questionnaires at treatment admission and 3-month follow-up. Mixture modeling was used to test whether indicators best classified AN as categorical, dimensional, or hybrid. RESULTS: A four-latent class, one-latent dimension mixture model that was variant across groups provided the best fit to the data. Results suggest that all classes were characterized by low self-esteem and self-harming and suicidality tendencies. Individuals assigned to Latent Class 2 (LC2; n = 21) had a greater tendency toward being impulsive and easily angered and having difficulties controlling anger compared with those in LC1 (n = 84) and LC3 (n = 66). Moreover, individuals assigned to LC1 and LC3 were more likely to have a poor outcome from intensive treatment compared with those in LC4 (n = 21). Findings indicate that the dimensional aspect within each class measured frequency of specific eating disorder behaviors but did not predict treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the complexity of AN and the importance of considering how facets of clinical presentation beyond eating disorder behaviors may have different treatment and prognostic implications.

The relationship between body mass index, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology in sexual minority women.

OBJECTIVE: Eating pathology is more prevalent among women compared to men, but prevalence and correlates associated with eating pathology likely vary among subgroups of women. This study examines prevalence and correlates of restrictive and weight control-related eating pathology in sexual minority women. METHOD: Data were collected from the Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS). Participants reported on sexual orientation, and race, and body mass index (BMI) was derived from interviewer collected height and weight. Participants completed the Body Image Measure and the Eating Attitudes Test-26. RESULTS: Sexual minority women reported higher BMIs [F (1, 862) = 14.69, p < .001], higher levels of body dissatisfaction [F (1, 960) = 3.12, p < .01], and higher levels of eating pathology [F (1, 950) = 14.21, p < .001] than heterosexual women. Body dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between BMI and eating pathology, and levels of associations were not attenuated by sexual minority status. Race moderated the association between sexual orientation and eating pathology; compared to all other groups, White sexual minority women had the highest level of eating pathology. Discussion Results indicate that White sexual minority women have higher levels of eating pathology than Black sexual minority women and both Black and White heterosexual women. Future studies that draw from larger and more diverse, community-based samples are needed.

Self-report measures of loss of control over eating: Psychometric properties in clinical and non-clinical samples.

OBJECTIVE: Research evidence supports the clinical significance of subjective feelings of loss of control over eating; however, limited attention has been given to how this construct is assessed. Two measures have been developed in recent years (i.e., Eating Loss of Control Scale [ELOC] and Loss of Control over Eating Scale [LOCES]), but further validation in clinical and non-clinical samples is needed. METHOD: The current study evaluated the psychometric properties, including factor structure, criterion validity, and measurement invariance of the ELOC and LOCES across two groups: (a) a clinical sample of individuals with eating disorders (n = 106) and (b) a non-clinical sample of college students (n = 321). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the 16-item version of the ELOC and 7-item brief version of the LOCES provided good fit to the data in both samples. These measures were highly correlated (r = .83-.87) and associated with binge-eating and related psychopathology. The ELOC demonstrated partial invariance between men and women and between the clinical and non-clinical samples. The LOCES-brief demonstrated full invariance between men and women and partial invariance between the clinical and non-clinical samples. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that the 16-item ELOC and 7-item LOCES are reliable measures of severity of loss of control eating in clinical and non-clinical samples. Given the brevity of the LOCES-brief and evidence for measurement invariance across sex, it is recommended over the ELOC in heterogeneous samples. Future research is needed to confirm the validity of these measures across individuals with and without eating disorders.

Relationship between desired weight constructs and eating disorder severity following treatment for anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Desired weight is an indicator of illness severity in youth with anorexia nervosa (AN), but its impact on eating disorder symptoms over time and in adults is unknown. This study examined longitudinal associations between two desired weight constructs (desired weight percentage, weight difference percentage) and eating disorder severity and body mass index (BMI) in patients aged 16-62 years old with AN presenting for inpatient or day hospital treatment. METHOD: Participants (N = 160) completed the Eating Disorder Examination and measures of height and weight at treatment admission, discharge, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge. Desired weight percentage was calculated as [desired BMI(desired weight in kg/height in meters2 )/healthy BMI] × 100. weight difference percentage was calculated as [(actual weight-desired weight)/actual weight] × 100. RESULTS: At admission, participants were approximately 78.6% of a healthy BMI and desired to be 81% of a healthy BMI. During the year following treatment, participants were 89% of a healthy BMI, but wanted to be 86% of a healthy BMI. Individuals with lower desired weight percentage (wanting to be a lower percentage of a healthy BMI) or higher weight difference percentage (wanting to lose a larger percentage of weight) at treatment admission endorsed greater eating disorder severity across time. Additionally, individuals with higher desired weight percentage or weight difference percentage had higher BMIs at intake, and greater increases in BMI over time. DISCUSSION: Results highlight that desired weight constructs represent correlates of illness severity in AN and may inform an individual's likely weight trajectory during and after treatment.

Satiation deficits and binge eating: Probing differences between bulimia nervosa and purging disorder using an ad lib test meal.

Purging disorder (PD) has been included as a named condition within the DSM-5 category of Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder and differs from bulimia nervosa (BN) in the absence of binge-eating episodes. The current study evaluated satiation through behavioral and self-report measures to understand how this construct may explain distinct symptom presentations for bulimia nervosa (BN) and purging disorder (PD). Women (N = 119) were recruited from the community if they met DSM-5 criteria for BN (n = 57), PD (n = 31), or were free of eating pathology (n = 31 controls). Participants completed structured clinical interviews and questionnaires and an ad lib test meal during which they provided reports of subjective states. Significant group differences were found on self-reported symptoms, ad lib test meal intake, and subjective responses to food intake between individuals with eating disorders and controls and between BN and PD. Further, ad lib intake was associated with self-reported frequency and size of binge episodes. In a multivariable model, the amount of food consumed during binges as reported during clinical interviews predicted amount of food consumed during the ad lib test meal, controlling for other binge-related variables. Satiation deficits distinguish BN from PD and appear to be specifically linked to the size of binge episodes. Future work should expand exploration of physiological bases of these differences to contribute to novel interventions.

Weight suppression and bulimic syndrome maintenance: Preliminary findings for the mediating role of leptin.

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal studies support a prospective relationship between weight suppression (WS) and bulimic syndrome (BN-S) maintenance. Although biobehavioral mechanisms have been proposed to explain this link, such mechanisms have yet to be identified. Given that weight loss would reduce leptin levels which may influence eating, this study examined whether reduced leptin levels mediate the link between greater WS and longer illness duration. METHOD: Women (N = 53), ages 18-45 years, were recruited from the community if they met criteria for a BN-S, including either DSM-5 bulimia nervosa (BN; n = 33) or purging disorder (PD: n = 20), and fell within a healthy weight range (18.5-26.5 kg/m2 ). Participants completed clinical assessments and provided blood samples to measure circulating leptin. RESULTS: Significant associations were found among greater WS, lower leptin concentrations, and longer duration of illness. Mediation analyses using bootstrapping procedures indicated all paths were significant and that leptin mediated the link between WS and illness duration. An alternative model in which longer illness duration contributed to leptin, via greater WS, was not supported. DISCUSSION: Longitudinal research is needed to support temporal associations and explore behavioral mechanisms linking leptin to illness trajectory.

Examining weight suppression as a predictor of eating disorder symptom trajectories in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Research in individuals with bulimia nervosa has highlighted the clinical significance of weight suppression (WS), defined as the difference between one's highest and current weight. More recently, studies have suggested that WS also may play a role in symptom maintenance and weight gain during treatment in anorexia nervosa (AN) and that the influence of WS on AN outcomes may depend on an individual's body mass index (BMI). However, no study has investigated whether WS or the interaction between WS and BMI is associated with the longer-term course of eating pathology following treatment discharge in patients with AN. METHOD: The current study examined a sample of females with AN (N = 180) who completed interviews and self-report questionnaires at discharge from intensive treatment and at 3, 6, and 12-months after discharge. Latent growth curve models tested whether WS, BMI, or the WS by BMI interaction significantly predicted the trajectory of eating disorder symptoms (i.e., Eating Disorder Examination global score, BMI, frequency of loss of control eating, frequency of purging) over the year following discharge. RESULTS: WS at discharge predicted change in BMI, and the interaction between WS and BMI predicted growth in eating disorder severity and purging frequency over time. Neither WS nor its interaction with BMI predicted growth in loss of control eating frequency. DISCUSSION: Results provide further support for the clinical significance of WS in AN symptom maintenance, but suggest that the influence of WS likely depends on an individual's BMI as well as the outcome being measured. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.(Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:753-763).

Incremental validity of the episode size criterion in binge-eating definitions: An examination in women with purging syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: Of the two primary features of binge eating, loss of control (LOC) eating is well validated while the role of eating episode size is less clear. Given the ICD-11 proposal to eliminate episode size from the binge-eating definition, the present study examined the incremental validity of the size criterion, controlling for LOC. METHOD: Interview and questionnaire data come from four studies of 243 women with bulimia nervosa (n = 141) or purging disorder (n = 102). Hierarchical linear regression tested if the largest reported episode size, coded in kilocalories, explained additional variance in eating disorder features, psychopathology, personality traits, and impairment, holding constant LOC eating frequency, age, and body mass index (BMI). Analyses also tested if episode size moderated the association between LOC eating and these variables. RESULTS: Holding LOC constant, episode size explained significant variance in disinhibition, trait anxiety, and eating disorder-related impairment. Episode size moderated the association of LOC eating with purging frequency and depressive symptoms, such that in the presence of larger eating episodes, LOC eating was more closely associated with these features. Neither episode size nor its interaction with LOC explained additional variance in BMI, hunger, restraint, shape concerns, state anxiety, negative urgency, or global functioning. DISCUSSION: Taken together, results support the incremental validity of the size criterion, in addition to and in combination with LOC eating, for defining binge-eating episodes in purging syndromes. Future research should examine the predictive validity of episode size in both purging and nonpurging eating disorders (e.g., binge eating disorder) to inform nosological schemes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:651-662).

Preliminary examination of glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in women with purging disorder and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined pre- and postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels in women with bulimia nervosa (BN), purging disorder (PD), and non-eating disorder control women to better understand whether alterations in satiation-related hormones in BN may be linked to binge-eating episodes or other altered ingestive behaviors. METHOD: Participants included women with BN (n = 19), PD (n = 14), or controls (n = 14). Participants provided subjective ratings for hunger and fullness and plasma samples before and after consumption of a standardized test meal. RESULTS: As expected, GLP-1 levels increased significantly following test meal consumption; however, participants with BN displayed significantly lower GLP-1 levels compared to PD and control participants both before and after consumption of the test meal. There were no significant differences between PD and control participants in GLP-1 levels, but individuals with PD displayed significantly higher levels of fullness throughout the test meal as compared to both control and BN participants. DISCUSSION: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that reduced GLP-1 levels in individuals with BN may be associated with binge-eating episodes. Additionally, increased fullness in individuals with PD does not appear to be accounted for by exaggerated postprandial GLP-1 release.

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation: The Moderating Role of Disgust.

Disgust has been implicated as a factor that maintains and exacerbates eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Emerging research suggests that disgust may be a risk factor for suicidality. Given the high rates of suicidality among individuals with EDs, we propose that disgust may contribute to the link between EDs and suicidality. To test this hypothesis, self-report data were collected from 341 young adults (66% women). Cross-sectional associations between disgust with the self, others and the world and disgust sensitivity and propensity, ED symptoms and suicidal ideation were examined using multivariate regression analyses. ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction were associated with increased suicidal ideation at high levels of disgust with the self and the world; at low levels of disgust, ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction did not significantly relate to suicidal ideation. Disgust may indicate risk for suicidal ideation among individuals with eating psychopathology.

An Open Trial of a Brief, Self-Compassion Intervention Targeting Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness.

OBJECTIVE: Suicide is a global health concern and developing brief and accessible interventions that can reduce suicide risk is crucial. Thwarted belongingness (TB; i.e., feeling like one doesn't belong) and perceived burdensomeness (PB; i.e., feeling like one is a burden on others) are associated with suicidality, and changes in these constructs predict changes in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Self-compassion is a multifaceted construct that involves being open and kind to oneself and can be taught through brief writing tasks. Low self-compassion has been associated with TB, PB, and suicidal ideation, suggesting that enhancing self-compassion may decrease suicide risk. Thus, we conducted an open trial of a brief, online self-compassion intervention targeting TB and PB. METHOD: Undergraduate students (N = 132) viewed an educational video on self-compassion and completed self-compassion writing tasks over the course of one week. RESULTS: Reactions to the intervention were positive, and participants reported significantly higher self-compassion scores following the intervention. However, TB and PB scores did not change from the baseline to the post-intervention assessment. CONCLUSIONS: This open trial demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a fully online, brief self-compassion intervention, but its impact on reducing suicide risk should be assessed further using a randomized controlled design.

Self-compassion may be useful for targeting thwarted interpersonal needs.A brief, online, self-compassion intervention is feasible and acceptable.Further research is needed on the impact of self-compassion on suicide risk.