Risk Factors For Binge Eating Research Articles

Loneliness as a moderator of the association of affective symptoms and binge eating among college women

Affective symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, shame) are a potent risk factor for binge eating. However, less is known on the role of loneliness as a moderator of affective symptoms and binge eating. This objective of the current study was to investigate main effects and interactions of affective symptoms and loneliness in relation to binge eating in college women. A sample of 556 undergraduate women completed self-report questionnaires of affective symptoms, loneliness, and binge eating. Results revealed significant interactions between each affective symptom variable and loneliness in relation to binge eating, such that loneliness strengthened the positive association of affective symptoms and greater binge eating. The findings of this study demonstrate an important role of loneliness to binge eating among college women, especially those with underlying affective vulnerabilities. More theoretical and treatment-oriented work on the role of loneliness in binge eating is needed to understand mechanisms and interventions/preventions.

A longitudinal test of problematic alcohol use and binge eating among college women: The moderating role of shame

Problematic alcohol use and binge eating frequently co-occur. High levels of negative affect, negative urgency, and/or shame may increase the likelihood that problematic alcohol use and binge eating co-occur over time. ObjectiveExamine 1) the temporal relationship between problematic alcohol use and binge eating among college women, who are at high risk for both, and 2) the additive and moderating effects of shared, emotion-based risk factors in models involving both problematic alcohol use and binge eating. MethodIn n = 302 college women assessed at two time points across 8 months, we used hierarchical linear regression to invstigate our objectives. ResultsBaseline problematic alcohol use and baseline shame independently predicted increases in follow-up binge eating, controlling for baseline binge eating. In addition, the interaction between problematic alcohol use and shame accounted for further variance in subsequent binge eating (the influence of baseline problematic alcohol use on follow-up binge eating was stronger at higher levels of baseline shame). The reciprocal relationship was not significant: baseline binge eating did not predict follow-up problematic alcohol use independently or in conjunction with risk factors. Neither negative affect nor negative urgency showed predictive effects beyond prior behavior and shame. Results support 1) problematic alcohol use as a prospective risk factor for binge eating, 2) shame as an additive predictor of binge eating, and 3) shame as a positive moderator of binge eating prediction from problem drinking. ConclusionAddressing shame and problematic alcohol use may be warranted in binge eating interventions for college women.

Longitudinal transactions between negative urgency and fasting predict binge eating

Fasting and negative urgency (the disposition to act rashly when distressed) are risk factors for binge eating. It may be that each influences the other over time to predict binge eating. ObjectiveThis study tested whether (1) fasting predicts binge eating through negative urgency, and (2) negative urgency predicts binge eating through fasting. MethodPath analysis and mediation tests were used to investigate objectives in n = 302 college women assessed three times over eight months. We controlled for each variable at the previous time point, and concurrent negative affect and body mass index at each time point. ResultsTime 1 (T1) fasting predicted elevated negative urgency three months later at Time 2 (T2) and T2 negative urgency predicted increases in binge eating five months later at Time 3 (T3). T2 negative urgency mediated the relationship between T1 fasting and T3 binge eating. T1 negative urgency predicted increases in T2 fasting, which then predicted increases in T3 binge eating. T2 fasting mediated the relationship between T1 negative urgency and T3 binge eating. DiscussionFindings suggest fasting and negative urgency transact to predict binge eating among college women. Interventions targeting negative urgency may prevent or reduce both fasting and binge eating.

Emotional eating and disordered eating behaviors in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Disordered eating behaviors (DEB) are more common in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) than in peers without diabetes. Emotional eating is a risk factor for binge eating in children and adolescents in the general population and is associated with increased intake of high energy-dense foods rich in sugars and fats. The primary objective is to evaluate whether emotional eating is associated with the metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin, plasma lipids and uric acid) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and whether subjects with DEB (DEPS-R ≥ 20) have higher emotional eating than those without DEB. The secondary objective is to evaluate whether emotional eating is associated with the different symptoms of DEB. Emotional eating is positively correlated with HbA1c, total and LDL cholesterol values in children and adolescents with T1D. Subjects with DEB have a higher emotional eating score than subjects without DEB. Disinhibition is the most common disordered eating behavior in children and adolescents with T1D and is associated with a higher emotional eating score. Early identification and treatment of emotional eating could be tools for preventing DEB in people with type 1 diabetes. A total of 212 adolescents with T1D completed two self-administered questionnaires: the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) and the Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Demographic (age, sex, duration of the disease), anthropometric (weight, height, BMI, BMI-SDS), therapeutic (type of insulin therapy, daily insulin dose) and metabolic (HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, uric acid) data were taken from the patients' medical records. The presence of other autoimmune diseases was also recorded.

Early adversity promotes binge-like eating habits by remodeling a leptin-responsive lateral hypothalamus–brainstem pathway

Early-life trauma (ELT) is a risk factor for binge eating and obesity later in life, yet the neural circuits that underlie this association have not been addressed. Here, we show in mice that downregulation of the leptin receptor (Lepr) in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and its effect on neural activity is crucial in causing ELT-induced binge-like eating and obesity upon high-fat diet exposure. We also found that the increased activity of Lepr-expressing LH (LHLepr) neurons encodes sustained binge-like eating in ELT mice. Inhibition of LHLepr neurons projecting to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray normalizes these behavioral features of ELT mice. Furthermore, activation of proenkephalin-expressing ventrolateral periaqueductal gray neurons, which receive inhibitory inputs from LHLepr neurons, rescues ELT-induced maladaptive eating habits. Our results identify a circuit pathway that mediates ELT-induced maladaptive eating and may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for binge eating and obesity.

Risk factors for binge eating severity among adolescent girls and boys. A structural equation modeling approach

ObjectiveParental bonding, low self-esteem, emotion dysregulation, and eating style are correlated with each other and are associated with binge eating among adolescents. However, no studies have yet examined all these variables simultaneously. In the current study, the independent and combined influences of such constructs on binge eating were tested with structural equation modeling. MethodA sample of 973 students aged between 12 and 16 (M = 14.17, SD = 1.25) years was screened by means of self-report measures assessing parental bonding, self-esteem, emotion dysregulation, eating styles and binge eating severity. ResultsSelf-esteem (β = −0.205) and eating styles (emotional β = 0.313, external β = 0.133, and restrained β = 0.178) had a direct effect on binge eating severity. The model (χ2(22) = 57.679; RMSEA = 0.041; CFI = 0.987; TLI = 0.949; SRMR = 0.024) revealed that the paths from both maternal and paternal care and maternal overprotection to binge eating were mediated through low self-esteem, emotion dysregulation and each eating style, explaining 35% of the variance. DiscussionFindings provide support for a comprehensive theoretical-based model of risk factors for binge eating and suggest the possible mechanisms through which the quality of early parental relationships contribute to developing dysfunctional eating patterns. Treatment and prevention efforts should improve self-esteem and emphasize emotion regulation capabilities.

Associations between severe food insecurity and disordered eating behaviors from adolescence to young adulthood: Findings from a 10-year longitudinal study

Emerging evidence suggests a cross-sectional association between food insecurity (FI) and disordered eating among adults, while evidence among adolescents is limited. Longitudinal research is needed to elucidate the temporality of this relationship and clarify whether the association differs by age. Three waves of prospective data came from 1813 participants in the Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) cohort study. Data were collected at five-year intervals, with the baseline survey in 1998–1999 (EAT-I; Mage = 14.9 years) and follow-up surveys in 2003–2004 (EAT-II; Mage = 19.5 years) and 2008–2009 (EAT-III; Mage = 24.9 years). Severe FI was assessed as any past-year hunger with one item from the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, and a range of disordered eating behaviors were self-reported. Associations adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were examined with generalized estimating equations. Effect modification by age was also tested. Cross-sectionally, severe FI was significantly associated with greater prevalence of all disordered eating behaviors examined, with the strongest associations observed for extreme weight-control behaviors (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–1.95) and binge eating (PR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.04–2.12). Longitudinally, severe FI significantly predicted 1.41 (95% CI: 1.05–1.90) times greater prevalence of binge eating five years later after accounting for prior binge eating. Effect modification by age indicated a stronger cross-sectional association between severe FI and unhealthy weight-control behaviors among younger participants. Results support a cross-sectional link between severe FI and disordered eating and provide longitudinal evidence suggesting severe FI is a risk factor for binge eating.

Sexual and physical abuse and identity of the perpetrator: Associations with binge eating and overeating in Project EAT 2018

BackgroundSexual and physical abuse are risk factors for binge eating and overeating, but few studies have examined association of the identity of the perpetrator with survivors' risk of binge eating and overeating. PurposeTo examine the risk of binge eating and overeating by (1) type of abuse and identity of the perpetrators and (2) cumulative abuse experiences/perpetrators. MethodsData came from Eating and Activity over Time (N = 1407; ages 18–30 during 2017–2018). Sexual abuse perpetrators included family members, non-family members, and intimate partners. Physical abuse perpetrators included family members and intimate partners. Cumulative abuse experiences were defined as the number of types of abuse experienced. Modified Poisson regressions were used to examine the risk of binge eating (overeating with loss of control) and overeating (without loss of control), by (1) abuse type and perpetrator and (2) cumulative abuse experiences. ResultsAbuse was more strongly associated with binge eating than overeating. For binge eating, risk factors included familial and intimate partner sexual abuse (RR = 1.48 [95% CI = 1.01–2.17] and 2.41, [95% CI = 1.70–3.41], respectively) and physical abuse (RR = 1.84, [95% CI = 1.33–2.53] and 1.95, [95% CI = 1.35–2.81], respectively), after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. For overeating, associations with physical abuse were close to the null, and those with sexual abuse were modest, with wide CIs that overlapped the null. Abuse experiences were cumulatively associated with binge eating, but not overeating. ConclusionAssessment of identity of the perpetrator, and cumulative abuse experiences/perpetrators may assist in identifying people at the greatest risk of binge eating.

Predictors of binge eating: relevance of BMI, emotional eating and sensivity to environmental food cues

PurposeUnderstanding humans’ food intake practices is helpful in reducing health problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between eating behaviours and binge eating and to examine the influence of sex and weight status on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachA total of seventy-eight participants (39 with overweight; mean age: 38.1 ± 6.3 years; body mass index [BMI]: 25 ± 5.7 kg/m2) underwent measurements of binge eating, eating styles and body compositions. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to predict binge eating as a function of eating styles and demographic variables.FindingsWomen presented higher levels of binge eating symptomatology and emotional eating than men. The analysis showed that age and gender did not emerge as important predictors of binge eating. In contrast, emotional and external eating and BMI were found to be important predictors of binge eating. The results indicate that higher emotional and external eating behaviour with higher BMI are important risk factors for binge eating in a non-clinical sample.Originality/valueIn this study, BMI was used as a causal factor rather than a consequence of deregulation of eating behaviour. An individual’s tendency to binge eat may be determined by BMI, emotional eating and sensitivity to environmental food stimuli. Understanding sex differences and causal relationships between eating behaviours is critical for the prevention and treatment of obesity and related health problems and for proper dietary management.

Binge-Eating Symptoms, Emotional-Behavioral Problems and Gender Differences among Adolescents: A Brief Report

We investigated relationships between binge-eating symptoms and emotional-behavioral problems in 382 community-adolescents (aged 13‑18 years, M = 15, SD = 1; 61% girls), analyzing gender differences. Few studies have investigated binge eating in community-adolescents and none have explored gender differences in Italy. Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Youth Self Report (YSR 11/18), which measures internalizing, externalizing and other problems (e.g. binge-drinking, substance abuse). 6% of adolescents (99% girls) were at-risk of binge-eating symptoms. In both gender, binge-eating symptoms were correlated with internalizing and other problems (all p < .001), but unexpectedly they were correlated with externalizing problems only in girls. The set of internalizing, externalizing and other problems predicted 23% of variance in BES among girls; only other problems predicted 12% of variance in BES among boys . Results identified gender-specific and non-specific risk factors for binge eating in Italian community-adolescents, that should be further investigated.

Differences in risk factors for binge eating by socioeconomic status in a community-based sample of adolescents: Findings from Project EAT.

Binge eating is prevalent across socioeconomic status (SES) groups, but it is unclear whether risk factors for binge eating vary by SES. This study examined the prevalence of several risk factors for binge eating by SES and SES as a potential moderator of these risk factors. Participants included 2,179 individuals involved in Project EAT during early/middle adolescence (EAT-I) and 5 years later during late adolescence/emerging adulthood (EAT-II). Risk ratios were computed using modified Poisson regression of incident EAT-II binge eating on EAT-I risk factors among participants of high and low SES. Interactions between each risk factor and SES were tested. Among higher SES adolescents, overweight/obesity (RR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.8, 5.7), body dissatisfaction (RR = 2.6; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.2, 5.5), dieting (RR = 4.0; 95% CI: 2.0, 8.2), and family weight-teasing (RR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.3) predicted increased risk for binge eating. Among adolescents from low-SES backgrounds, overweight/obesity (RR = 1.5; 95% CI: 0.9, 2.5), dieting (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.9), and food insecurity (RR = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.7, 2.7) predicted increased risk for binge eating. Moderator analyses revealed that overweight/obesity, body dissatisfaction, dieting, and family weight-teasing were stronger risk factors in the high-SES group than the low-SES group; interactions with food insecurity could not be examined given the low prevalence of food insecurity in the high-SES group. Risk factors for binge eating may vary by SES, suggesting the potential utility of modifying intervention and prevention methods based on SES. In particular, the role of food insecurity must be addressed.

Relationships between eating disorder-specific and transdiagnostic risk factors for binge eating: An integrative moderated mediation model of emotion regulation, anticipatory reward, and expectancy

Although relationships between negative affect, emotion dysregulation, and binge eating have been well-established, the mechanisms and individual risk factors that account for this relationship have yet to be elucidated. In addition to emotion dysregulation, altered reward functioning and negative affect eating expectancies (i.e., the expectancy that eating will relieve negative affect) are factors that have been previously linked to binge eating, though theoretical frameworks have not provided an integrated conceptualization of relationships between these domains. Therefore, the present study examined an integrative moderated mediation model among a sample of 101 adults with self-reported eating disorder (ED) symptoms who completed a battery of online questionnaires. Results supported the hypothesized model, which demonstrated that eating expectancies mediated the relationship between emotion dysregulation and binge eating frequency, and there was a positive association between emotion dysregulation and eating expectancies among individuals high in anticipatory reward. These findings provide preliminary support for an integrated approach to understanding transdiagnostic and ED-specific risk factors that potentiate binge eating.

Emotional ratings of high- and low-calorie food are differentially associated with cognitive restraint and dietary restriction

Dietary restraint is a robust risk factor for binge eating and eating disorders, which may partially result from increased reward reactivity to food in individuals who attempt to diet. However, research examining the association between dietary restraint and reactivity to food cues is mixed. Mixed findings may reflect distinct relations between food cue reactivity and different dimensions of dietary behavior; attempts to diet (cognitive restraint) may be associated with increased positive evaluations of food, whereas actual reduction in food intake (dietary restriction) may be achieved through decreased reactivity to food cues. The aim of the current study was to examine whether cognitive restraint and dietary restriction, as assessed via subscales on a recently developed multidimensional measure of eating pathology (i.e., Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory [EPSI]), are differentially associated with emotional evaluations of high- and low-calorie food. Female participants (N = 203) viewed 12 high-calorie (i.e., sweet, savory) and 12 low-calorie (i.e., fruits, vegetables) food images, as well as 36 standard emotional images. Images were rated on the dimensions of valence, arousal, and craving using the Self-Assessment Manikin. Cognitive restraint was correlated with greater pleasure and craving ratings of low-calorie, but not high-calorie, foods. In contrast, dietary restriction was related to reduced pleasure and craving ratings for both high- and low-calorie foods. Findings suggest that cognitive restraint may be associated with a preference for low-calorie foods; whereas dietary restriction may relate to reduced sensitivity to the hedonic and motivational value of food, regardless of caloric content. Results also provide support for the distinction between cognitive restraint and dietary restriction, as assessed via the EPSI.

Independent and interactive associations of negative affect, restraint, and impulsivity in relation to binge eating among women

There is growing recognition that impulsivity may serve as an underlying risk factor for binge eating. In addition, the association of impulsivity with binge eating may be moderated by other affective and cognitive risk factors. This study examined independent and interactive associations of negative affect, dietary restraint, and facets of impulsivity with binge eating. A diverse sample of 566 undergraduate women completed online questionnaires of study variables. Results revealed a three-way interaction of negative affect, dietary restraint, and attentional impulsivity in relation to binge eating. Women who were high on each of these three variables reported the greatest levels of binge eating. In addition, a two-way interaction was found for negative affect and nonplanning impulsivity in relation to binge eating, such that nonplanning impulsivity strengthened the association between negative affect and binge eating. Attentional and nonplanning facets of impulsivity may function as an underlying trait-level risk factor interacts with affective and/or cognitive risk (e.g., negative affect, dietary restraint) factors to predict elevated binge eating.

Eating disorder-specific risk factors moderate the relationship between negative urgency and binge eating: A behavioral genetic investigation.

Theoretical models of binge eating and eating disorders include both transdiagnostic and eating disorder-specific risk factors. Negative urgency (i.e., the tendency to act impulsively when distressed) is a critical transdiagnostic risk factor for binge eating, but limited research has examined interactions between negative urgency and disorder-specific variables. Investigating these interactions can help identify the circumstances under which negative urgency is most strongly associated with binge eating. We examined whether prominent risk factors (i.e., appearance pressures, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint) specified in well-established etiologic models of eating disorders moderate negative urgency-binge eating associations. Further, we investigated whether phenotypic moderation effects were due to genetic and/or environmental associations between negative urgency and binge eating. Participants were 988 female twins aged 11-25 years from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Appearance pressures, thin-ideal internalization, and body dissatisfaction, but not dietary restraint, significantly moderated negative urgency-binge eating associations, with high levels of these risk factors and high negative urgency associated with the greatest binge eating. Twin moderation models revealed that genetic, but not environmental, sharing between negative urgency and binge eating was enhanced at higher levels of these eating disorder-specific variables. Future longitudinal research should investigate whether eating disorder risk factors shape genetic influences on negative urgency into manifesting as binge eating. (PsycINFO Database Record

Dietary Restraint Partially Mediates the Relationship between Impulsivity and Binge Eating Only in Lean Individuals: The Importance of Accounting for Body Mass in Studies of Restraint

Binge eating is characteristic of eating and weight-related disorders such as binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and obesity. In light of data suggest impulsivity is associated with overeating specifically in restrained eaters, this study sought to elucidate the exact nature of the associations between these variables, hypothesizing that the relationship between impulsivity and binge eating is mediated by restrained eating. We further hypothesized that the role of dietary restraint as a mediator would be moderated by body mass index (BMI). Study participants (n = 506, 50.6% female) were categorized based on self-reported BMI as under- and normal-weight (BMI < 25, 65.8%, n = 333) or overweight and obese (BMI ≥ 25, 34.2%, n = 173) and completed the “restrained eating” subscale of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, the “impulse control difficulties” subscale of the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Binge Eating Scale. Findings provide initial evidence for the hypothesized moderated mediation model, with dietary restraint partially mediating the relationship between impulsivity and binge eating severity only in lean respondents. In respondents with overweight or obesity, impulsivity was significantly correlated with binge eating severity, but not with dietary restraint. Findings inform our conceptualization of dietary restraint as a possible risk factor for binge eating and highlight the importance of accounting for body mass in research on the impact of dietary restraint on eating behaviors.

Testing for interactive and non-linear effects of risk factors for binge eating and purging eating disorders

Almost no research has tested whether risk factors interact in the prediction of future eating disorder onset, which might suggest qualitatively distinct etiologic pathways. Accordingly, this prospective study tested for possible interactions between risk factors in the prediction of binge eating and purging eating disorders in adolescents. It also examined sex differences in pathways to risk. Two analytical approaches were used: (1) classification tree analysis (CTA), which is ideally suited to identifying non-linear interactions and the optimal cut-points for defining risk, with follow-up random forest analyses; and (2) two-way interaction terms in a series of logistic regression models. Data were drawn from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, a population-based study that followed participants from pre-birth to young adulthood. This study involved 1297 adolescents (49% male), 146 (11%) of whom developed bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or purging disorder in late adolescence. In CTA, sex was the first and most potent predictor of eating disorder risk with females showing a 5-fold increase in risk relative to males. For males and females, weight and eating concerns were the next most potent predictor of risk and three risk groups emerged, reflecting non-linear risk. For females with intermediate weight and eating concerns, externalizing problems emerged as an additional predictor. Interaction terms in logistic regression models did not produce significant results after correcting for multiple testing. Findings advance knowledge on risk pathways to eating disorder onset, highlight non-linear risk processes, and provide cut-points for prospectively identifying high-risk youth for prevention programs.

Hedonic hunger prospectively predicts onset and maintenance of loss of control eating among college women.

The subjective feeling of loss of control (LOC) over eating is common among eating-disordered individuals and has predicted weight gain in past research. Restrained eating and negative affect are risk factors for binge eating (which involves LOC), but intense feelings of pleasure derived from palatable foods might also predict the emergence or intensification of LOC eating. The Power of Food Scale (PFS) assesses preoccupation with the pleasure derived from palatable food. The current sample (n = 294) comprised female college freshmen at risk for weight gain. LOC was assessed using an abbreviated version of the Eating Disorders Examination interview. LOC was assessed at baseline and at 6-week and 12- and 24-month follow-ups. Among those exhibiting LOC eating at baseline (and controlling for baseline depression, restrained eating, and body image dissatisfaction), those scoring higher on the PFS at baseline showed a smaller reduction in LOC frequency over time relative to those scoring lower. Using the same covariates, the PFS predicted the first emergence of LOC over 2 years among those showing no LOC at baseline. These results suggest that powerful hedonic attraction to palatable foods may represent a risk factor for the maintenance of LOC in those initially experiencing it and the emergence of LOC eating in those who are not. An enhanced ability to identify individuals at increased risk of developing or maintaining LOC eating could be useful in prevention programs.

Examining associations between negative urgency and key components of objective binge episodes.

Negative urgency (NU; tendency to act impulsively when experiencing negative emotions) is a risk factor for binge eating, although few studies have examined interviewer-assessed objective binge episodes (OBEs). Moreover, research has not investigated how NU relates to the core components of OBEs: loss of control (LOC) eating and objective overeating (OO). Understanding the relationship between NU and these core components will enhance etiologic models of eating disorder development. Thus, the current study examined the associations between NU, OBEs, and the components of OBEs by comparing levels of NU in women with OBEs, LOC eating only, and OO only to women with no pathological eating. Participants were 612 women who endorsed lifetime OBEs (5.4%), LOC eating outside of OBEs (5.7%), OO only (2.8%), or none of these eating episodes (85.9%). Women with OBEs, LOC only, and OO only had significantly higher levels of NU than women without these episodes, suggesting that NU is associated with both the LOC and OO components of OBEs. NU relates to the spectrum of pathology present in women with OBEs. Future research should examine the mechanisms underlying these associations, including impaired behavioral/psychological control and/or increased reward sensitivity in response to negative affect.

Desire thinking: A risk factor for binge eating?

In the current study we explored the role of desire thinking in predicting binge eating independently of Body Mass Index, negative affect and irrational food beliefs. A sample of binge eaters (n=77) and a sample of non-binge eaters (n=185) completed the following self-report instruments: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Irrational Food Beliefs Scale, Desire Thinking Questionnaire, and Binge Eating Scale. Mann–Whitney U tests revealed that all variable scores were significantly higher for binge eaters than non-binge eaters. A logistic regression analysis indicated that verbal perseveration was a predictor of classification as a binge eater over and above Body Mass Index, negative affect and irrational food beliefs. A hierarchical regression analysis, on the combined sample, indicated that verbal perseveration predicted levels of binge eating independently of Body Mass Index, negative affect and irrational food beliefs. These results highlight the possible role of desire thinking as a risk factor for binge eating.