Testing replicability of the relationship between weight suppression and binge eating in three non-clinical samples varying in lifetime weight history

Abstract

ObjectiveIncreased weight suppression, the difference between an individual's highest and current weight at present height, predicts binge eating among eating disorder samples. Less is known about this relationship in non-clinical samples of individuals with a history of higher weight. MethodsLifetime highest BMI was tested as a moderator of the relationship between weight suppression and binge eating in three independent samples (N = 1740). ResultsAt the bivariate level, weight suppression was not associated with binge eating in any sample (p's ≥ 0.20). Lifetime highest BMI moderated the relationship between weight suppression and binge eating in Sample 1 (p = .04), such that greater weight suppression was associated with lower binge eating among those with a history of higher weight (i.e., BMI = 40 kg/m2). In Samples 2 and 3, the lifetime highest BMI by weight suppression interaction term was not significant and dropped from the model (p's = 0.10–0.12). Accounting for age, gender, and lifetime highest BMI, greater weight suppression was associated with lower binge eating scores (p's < 0.04). A meta-analysis combining results revealed a small but significant interaction effect (r = 0.07, p = .02). ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of investigating the generalizability of eating disorder risk and maintenance theories across the weight spectrum. Weight loss may not increase risk for binge eating among those with a history of higher weight. Future work should replicate and extend this finding using longitudinal designs. More research is needed to elucidate which weight loss motivations and/or behaviors are most closely linked to binge eating.