Abstract
Asymmetrical activation in the frontal cortex has been related to affect and volitional behavior. Literature has demonstrated a relationship between frontal asymmetry and restrained eating in normal weight individuals. Research has also shown that normal weight restrained eaters and overweight binge eaters experience similar frequencies of emotional distress and eating. This study tested whether binge eating in overweight individuals would be associated with frontal asymmetry. Thirty overweight participants were recruited from a weight maintenance study. Participants were assessed using the Binge-Eating Scale (BES), Power of Food Scale (PFS), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire. Asymmetrical activation was assessed using electroencephalogram recordings. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationships between the BES, PFS, TFEQ, and asymmetrical activation. Results revealed a relationship between binge eating and left-sided asymmetry in the frontocentral (p=0.030) and frontotemporal (p=0.040) regions, however, this relationship was not specific to frontal regions as prior literature suggests. Significant correlations between binge eating and left-sided asymmetry were also found in the centroparietal (p=0.036), parietal (p=0.008), and parieto-occiptal (p=0.027) regions. These results suggest activation of deep brain sources, such as in the medial temporal lobe. Appetitive responsivity and Disinhibition were correlated with left-sided asymmetry in frontal, central, and temporal regions. PFS and Disinhibition scores were also correlated with right-sided parietal asymmetry. Correlations remained significant when controlling for affect. Results encourage future research to unify models of asymmetrical activation and further explore its relationship with ingestive behavior.
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