A systematic review of temporal discounting in eating disorders and obesity: Behavioural and neuroimaging findings.
Eating Disorders (ED) and obesity are suggested to involve a spectrum of self-regulatory control difficulties. Temporal discounting (TD) tasks have been used to explore this idea. This systematic review examines behavioural and neuroimaging TD data in ED and obesity.



Using PRISMA guidelines, we reviewed relevant articles in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase from inception until 17th August 2016. Studies that reported behavioural differences in TD and/or TD neuroimaging data in ED/obesity were included.



Thirty-one studies were included. Limited data suggest that BN, BED and obesity are associated with increased TD, whilst data in AN are mixed. Aberrant neural activity in frontostriatal circuitry is implicated. TD tasks vary widely and TD in ED/obesity may vary according to factors such as illness stage.



Our findings suggest altered self-regulatory control in ED and obesity. TD tasks are heterogeneous, limiting generalisability of findings. Research into whether TD is multidimensional, along with transdiagnostic neuroimaging research is needed. Assessment of TD may be useful in psychoeducation, outcome prediction and treatment of ED/obesity.
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: jessica.mcclelland@kcl.ac.uk.
Jessica
J
McClelland
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: bethan.dalton@kcl.ac.uk.
Bethan
B
Dalton
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: maria.kekic@kcl.ac.uk.
Maria
M
Kekic
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: savani.bartholdy@kcl.ac.uk.
Savani
S
Bartholdy
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: iain.campbell@kcl.ac.uk.
Iain C
IC
Campbell
Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ulrike.schmidt@kcl.ac.uk.
Ulrike
U
Schmidt
D065786:Delay Discounting; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D059906:Neuroimaging; D009765:Obesity
Delay discounting; Delayed gratification; Eating disorders; Impulsivity; Obesity; Temporal discounting