What's driving the binge in binge eating disorder?: A prospective examination of precursors and consequences.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research, mostly using retrospective reports, indicated a relation of negative affect and dietary restraint with the occurrence of binge episodes in binge eating disorder (BED). We employed Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to better understand precursors and consequences of binge eating.


METHODS
Thirty-three females with BED carried a handheld computer for 7 days, and were periodically prompted to indicate their current emotions, hunger, and binge status.


RESULTS
Negative mood and hunger were significantly higher at prebinge than at nonbinge times, but negative mood was even higher at postbinge. Participants attributed binge episodes to mood more frequently than to hunger or abstinence violation.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding that negative mood is actually heightened subsequent to a binge suggests the need to further investigate what is reinforcing about a binge, including possible escape from self-awareness. Strengths of EMA technology are discussed, as well as its broad utility in BED assessment and treatment.
Stein
Richard I
RI
Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Kenardy
Justin
J
Wiseman
Claire V
CV
Dounchis
Jennifer Zoler
JZ
Arnow
Bruce A
BA
Wilfley
Denise E
DE
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires