title: Cognitive and emotional functioning in binge-eating disorder: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and is associated with eating disorder and general psychopathology and overweight/obesity. Deficits in cognitive and emotional functioning for eating disorders or obesity have been reported. However, a systematic review on cognitive and emotional functioning for individuals with BED is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search was conducted across three databases (Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO). Overall, n = 57 studies were included in the present review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding cognitive functioning (CoF), individuals with BED consistently demonstrated higher information processing biases compared to obese and normal-weight controls in the context of disorder-related stimuli (i.e., food and body cues), whereas CoF in the context of neutral stimuli appeared to be less affected. Thus, results suggest disorder-related rather than general difficulties in CoF in BED. With respect to emotional functioning (EmF), individuals with BED reported difficulties similar to individuals with other eating disorders, with a tendency to show less severe difficulties in some domains. In addition, individuals with BED reported greater emotional deficits when compared to obese and normal-weight controls. Findings suggest general difficulties in EmF in BED. Thus far, however, investigations of EmF in disorder-relevant situations are lacking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the cross-sectional findings indicate BED to be associated with difficulties in CoF and EmF. Future research should determine the nature of these difficulties, in regards to general and disorder-related stimuli, and consider interactions of both domains to foster the development and improvement of appropriate interventions in BED.
authors.affiliation: Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Rebekka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kittel
authors.affiliation: Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brauhardt
authors.affiliation: Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hilbert
mesh_terms: D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: binge-eating disorder; cognitive functioning; emotion regulation; emotional awareness; emotional functioning; obesity