"Feeling fat," disgust, guilt, and shame: Preliminary evaluation of a mediation model of binge-eating in adults with higher-weight bodies.

"Feeling fat" is a subjective state that theoretically contributes to the maintenance of binge eating (BE). However, feeling fat, and its relation to BE among individuals with higher-weight bodies, has been infrequently studied. This study proposes a momentary-level model in which negative moral emotion states (disgust, guilt, shame) mediate the association between feeling fat and binge eating. In this study, 50 adults with higher-weight bodies (MBMI=40.3 ± 8.5 kg/m2; 84% female) completed a two-week ecological momentary assessment protocol, which measured experiences of feeling fat, emotion states, and binge-eating behavior. Univariate generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) evaluated the momentary associations among levels of feeling fat at Time 1, emotion states at Time 2, and binge eating at Time 2, controlling for Time 1 emotion states. GLMM results suggest that increases in each emotion from Time 1 to Time 2 mediated the association between Time 1 feeling fat and Time 2 binge eating. When modeled simultaneously within one multivariate multilevel structured equation model, disgust appeared to drive the relation between feeling fat and binge eating, over and above guilt and shame. Although preliminary, findings suggest increases in negative moral emotions, particularly disgust, mediate the feeling fat-binge eating association in adults with higher-weight bodies.

Examination of early group dynamics and treatment outcome in a randomized controlled trial of group cognitive behavior therapy for binge eating disorder.

This study examined whether perceptions of group dynamics early in treatment predicted eating disorder outcomes in a sample of adults (N = 190) with binge eating disorder (BED) who participated in a 15-session group cognitive behavior therapy (gCBT) treatment with differing levels of therapist involvement (therapist led, therapist assisted, and self-help). The group dynamic variables included the Engaged subscale of the Group Climate Questionnaire--Short Form and the Group Attitude Scale, measured at session 2 and session 6. Treatment outcome was assessed in terms of global eating disorder severity and frequency of binge eating at end of treatment, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Session 2 engagement and group attitudes were associated with improved outcome at 12-month follow-up. No other group dynamic variables were significantly associated with treatment outcome. Group dynamic variables did not differ by levels of therapist involvement. Results indicate that early engagement and attitudes may be predictive of improved eating disorder psychopathology at 12 month follow-up. However, the pattern of mostly insignificant findings indicates that in gCBT, group process variables may be less influential on outcomes relative to other treatment components. Additionally, participants were able to engage in group treatment regardless of level of therapist involvement.

Re-examination of chewing and spitting behavior: characteristics within and across eating disorder diagnoses.

Chewing and spitting (CS) out food is a relatively understudied eating disorder behavior. The aim of this study was to examine lifetime and current frequencies of CS across eating disorder diagnostic groups and to compare the severity of eating disorder symptomatology between participants who did and did not endorse CS. A total of 972 individuals presenting for outpatient eating disorder treatment between 1985 and 1996 completed a questionnaire that included items regarding current and lifetime eating disorder behaviors, including CS. Results indicated that both lifetime and current prevalence estimates of CS varied cross-diagnostically, with CS being more common among those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa compared to those with eating disorder not otherwise specified. CS was significantly associated with several eating disorder symptoms, including compensatory behaviors, meal restriction, and lower BMI. Those who reported CS were also younger in age compared to those who did not report CS. These findings indicate that CS is associated with more severe eating and weight pathology and is not equally prevalent across eating disorder diagnoses. These results also support the relatively high occurrence of CS and the importance of targeting this behavior in eating disorder treatment. Future research should clarify the correlates, mechanisms, and function of CS in eating disorders.