Implicit cognitive processes in binge-eating disorder and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes, associated eating disorder and general psychopathology, and commonly occurs in obese individuals. Explicit self-esteem and explicit weight bias have been linked to BED, while little is known about implicit cognitive processes such as implicit self-esteem and implicit weight bias.


METHODS
Obese participants with BED and an individually matched obese only group (OB) and normal weight control group (CG; each N = 26) were recruited from the community to examine group differences and associations in explicit and implicit self-esteem and weight bias, as well as the impact of implicit cognitive processes on global eating disorder psychopathology. Implicit cognitive processes were assessed using the Implicit Association Test.


RESULTS
Significantly lower explicit self-esteem, as well as higher exposure to explicit weight bias, compared to CG and OB was found in the BED group. All groups showed positive implicit self-esteem, however, it was significantly lower in BED when compared to CG. BED and CG demonstrated equally high implicit weight bias whereas OB did not. Explicit and implicit measures were not significantly correlated. Global eating disorder psychopathology was predicted by explicit and implicit self-esteem.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study add to the importance of implicit self-esteem and implicit weight bias beyond explicit measures in BED, while both were previously shown to be associated with onset and maintenance of BED. In conclusion, implicit cognitive processes should be focused on in interventions for BED to investigate their impact on psychological treatments.
Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: anne.brauhardt@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Anne
A
Brauhardt
Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Almut
A
Rudolph
Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Anja
A
Hilbert
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Binge-eating disorder; Explicit self-esteem; Explicit weight bias; Implicit self-esteem; Implicit weight bias; Obesity