Exploring the Relationship Between Disordered Eating and Executive Function in a Non-Clinical Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1050
Author(s):  
Stefanie Ciszewski ◽  
Kathryn E. Flood ◽  
Cecile J. Proctor ◽  
Lisa A. Best

Previous research suggests that individuals diagnosed with eating disorders (ED) may experience executive functioning deficits that help maintain their ED. Although this relationship is reported consistently in clinical samples, it is important to consider whether it holds for individuals with sub-clinical ED symptoms. One hundred eighty-eight university students participated in the present study examining the relationship between executive function (EF) and disordered eating behaviors. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, self-report questionnaires measuring atypical eating behaviors (EAT-26; EDI-3), and a self-report measure of EF (BRIEF-A). Correlational analyses demonstrated significant positive associations between ED behaviors and problems with emotional control, shifting, inhibition, and self-monitoring. Six hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted, using EF scores to predict scores on EAT-26 subscales (Dieting, Bulimia, Total ED Risk) and EDI-3 scales (Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Risk Composite). In all regression analyses, BRIEF-A Emotional Control emerged as a significant predictor. As would be expected, EDI-3 Bulimia scores were also predicted by problems with inhibition. These results provide preliminary evidence of an association between non-clinical patterns of disordered eating and executive dysfunction, specifically including the ability to control one’s emotions, suggesting that emotional control problems may help predict ED risk. Future research could examine how these factors predict the development of eating disorders.

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 832-832
Author(s):  
Garagozzo A ◽  
Hunter S ◽  
Smith D

Abstract Objective Research has demonstrated that adolescents with ADHD show executive dysfunction, although they do not always endorse such difficulties. We investigated inter-rater agreement between parent- and self-reported executive function (EF) in adolescents with ADHD, using the BRIEF. We also sought to investigate the relationship between scores on parent and self-report EF measures with performance on objective EF measures. Method Utilizing a clinical database, we identified 75 participants (13-17 years; Mage = 14.9; 60% male; 27% African American, 63% White, 3% Hispanic, 7% Other) with a diagnosis of ADHD. We examined inter-rater reliability between parent and self-reported factors on the BRIEF. We then examined the association between parent and self-report BRIEF Inhibition scores and the D-KEFS Color Word Interference (CWI) Inhibition trial, and parent and self-report BRIEF Shift scores and the D-KEFS CWI Inhibition/Switching trial and Trails Letter Number Sequencing trial. Results Significant associations were found between parent and self-ratings on BRIEF Inhibition (ICC = .22; 95% CI = -.24-.50), Shift (ICC = .24; 95% CI = -.21-.52), Emotional Control (ICC = .45, 95% CI = .137-.655), Plan/Organize (ICC = -.143; 95% CI = -.81–28), and Working Memory (ICC = -.193; 95% CI = -.89-.25) subscales. Correlation comparisons were significant for BRIEF self-report Inhibition and CWI Inhibition (r(73) = −.405, p = .000) only. Conclusion Results support standing findings regarding poor interrater reliability between parent and self-ratings of daily executive functioning in adolescents with ADHD. Self-report was seen to correlate with performance on objective EF tasks. Clinically, these results highlight the need for multidimensional assessment of ADHD in adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Argyrides ◽  
Evagelia Alexiou

The purpose of the current study was threefold: a) to collect a very large representative sample of adolescents and assess for their levels of disordered eating behaviors; b) to describe the characteristics of adolescents with disordered eating behaviors in Cyprus based on the measures that were used in the study and c) to compare the adolescents with significant disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26 ≥ 20) to the ones without any disordered eating behaviors (EAT < 20) on all the variables of interest. A total of 2664 secondary school students responded to self-report measures assessing disordered eating, negative body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem and media influences. Results indicated that 16.04% of the overall sample of adolescents scored significantly on the EAT-26 (21.4% of females and 8.4% of males). Results also indicated that the majority of the adolescents with disordered eating behaviors were female, mainly from average socioeconomic status, normal Body Mass Index and grew up and reside in an urban area. Finally, adolescents in the disordered eating behaviors group scored significantly lower on appearance satisfaction and self-esteem and significantly higher on appearance investment, weight-related anxiety, situational dysphoria, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals as well as feeling pressured from the media and considering the media as a good source of information. In conclusion, results indicate a substantial difference in levels of disordered eating in adolescents as compared to previous research in Cyprus. Possible explanations are addressed as well as implications for prevention strategies and future research ideas based on the findings.


2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trent A. Petrie ◽  
Christy Greenleaf ◽  
Jennifer E. Carter ◽  
Justine J. Reel

Few studies have been conducted examining male athletes and eating disorders, even though the sport environment may increase their risk. Thus, little information exists regarding the relationship of putative risk factors to eating disorders in this group. To address this issue, we examined the relationship of eating disorder classification to the risk factors of body image concerns (including drive for muscularity), negative affect, weight pressures, and disordered eating behaviors. Male college athletes (N= 199) from three different NCAA Division I universities participated. Only two athletes were classified with an eating disorder, though 33 (16.6%) and 164 (82.4%), respectively, were categorized as symptomatic and asymptomatic. Multivariate analyses revealed that eating disorder classification was unrelated to the majority of the risk factors, although the eating disorder group (i.e., clinical and symptomatic) did report greater fear of becoming fat, more weight pressures from TV and from magazines, and higher levels of stress than the asymptomatic athletes. In addition, the eating disorder group had higher scores on the Bulimia Test-Revised (Thelen, Mintz, & Vander Wal, 1996), which validated the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnosis (Mintz, O’Halloran, Mulholland, & Schneider, 1997) as a measure of eating disorders with male athletes. These findings suggest that variables that have been supported as risk factors among women in general, and female athletes in particular, may not apply as strongly, or at all, to male athletes.


Executive dysfunction of inhibitory and emotional control deficits has not gained attention as a predictor in previous research on problem behaviors. Thus, this study examined inhibitory and emotional control deficits as predictors of symptoms of problem behaviors. There were 404 young offenders with various crimes such as stealing, substance use, rape, homicide, gang fights, and early sexual relation/pregnancy and out of control behavior participated in the study. Behavior Rating Instrument of Executive Function-Self Report (BRIEF-SR) and Achenbach System of Empirical Behavior Assessment (ASEBA-YSR) were employed, respectively. The results showed there was a significant relationships between inhibitory and emotional control deficits with both symptoms of problem behaviours; rule-breaking behavior and aggressive behavior. Moreover, based on regression weights, inhibitory control deficit was the best predictor of attention problems and aggressive behavior. On the contrary, an emotional control deficit was the best predictor of both symptoms of problem behaviors. In conclusion, the executive function plays a significant role in problem behaviors among juvenile delinquents. Thus early prevention based on both inhibitory and emotional controls component must be considered in three different settings such as family, school, and community. Thorough consideration in developing and inserting these two executive function components also are much needed in an educational setting as it is where adolescents spend much of the time.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Somerville ◽  
Sarah E. MacPherson ◽  
Sue Fletcher-Watson

Camouflaging is a frequently reported behaviour in autistic people, which entails the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic traits in social situations. Camouflaging is associated with poor mental health in autistic people. This study examined the manifestation of camouflaging in a non-autistic sample, examining the relationship between autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health. In addition, the role of executive functions as a mechanism underpinning camouflaging was explored. Sixty-three non-autistic adults completed standardised self-report questionnaires which measured: autistic traits, mental health symptoms, and camouflaging behaviours. In addition, a subset (n=51) completed three tests of executive function measuring inhibition, working memory, and set-shifting. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse data. Results indicated that autistic traits are not associated with mental health symptoms when controlling for camouflaging, and camouflaging predicted increased mental health symptoms. Camouflaging did not correlate with any measure of executive function. These findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autistic traits and mental health in non-autistic people and add to the growing development of theory and knowledge about the mechanism and effects of camouflaging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Yiduo Ye ◽  
Jichang Guo

We investigated potential mechanisms that may explain the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors, using 2 mediation models. In the first model we hypothesized that the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors would be mediated by weight bias internalization, and jointly mediated by both weight bias internalization and core self-evaluation. In the alternative model we hypothesized that this relationship would be mediated by core self-evaluation, and jointly mediated by both core selfevaluation and weight bias internalization. Participants were 421 primary and secondary school students (aged 9–14 years) representing various weight categories, who responded to items about their weight stigma, weight bias internalization, core self-evaluation, and disordered eating behaviors. Results show that the 2 mediation models had a good fit to the data. Thus, improving core self-evaluation and reducing weight bias internalization appear to be significant for treating disordered eating behaviors in preadolescents and adolescents.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532098688
Author(s):  
Marta de Lourdes ◽  
Ana Pinto-Bastos ◽  
Paulo PP Machado ◽  
Eva Conceição

This study explored the associations between individuals presenting different problematic eating behaviors (Objective/Subjective binge-eating—OBE/SBE—and Compulsive/Non-compulsive grazing—C_Grazing/NC_Grazing) and eating disorder related symptoms. About 163 pre- and 131 post-bariatric patients were assessed. Assessment included: Face-to-face clinical interview to assess binge-eating and grazing episodes, and self-report measures to assess eating disorder symptomatology, psychological distress, and negative urgency. OBE and NC_Grazing were the problematic eating behaviors most and least associated with psychopathology, respectively. OBE and C_Grazing uniquely accounted for the significant variance in the most disordered eating variables. Our findings emphasize the need for the conceptualization of grazing behavior in the spectrum of disordered eating.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Merinuk ◽  
Stephanie C. Varcoe ◽  
Peter J. Kelly ◽  
Laura D. Robinson

Purpose Substance use disorder (SUD) frequently co-occurs with other psychological conditions, such as eating disorders (EDs). Psychological factors such as emotional dysregulation, rash impulsivity (RI) and reward sensitivity (RS) play a role in the etiology of each disorder, yet little is known about the combined effects of these on comorbid SUDs and EDs or disordered eating behaviours (DEBs). This study aims to examine the role of these psychological factors in comorbid DEBs and SUDs among individuals in treatment for SUDs. The role of gender is tested as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional self-report survey was completed by 131 participants attending Australian residential substance use treatment centres. A binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of emotional dysregulation, RI and RS on comorbid DEB and SUD. Further, moderation analyses were used to examine the moderating effect for gender on the relationship between these three personality variables and comorbidity. Findings The most commonly reported primary substance of use was alcohol (43.5%), followed by amphetamines (38.6%). Findings showed that emotional dysregulation and RI were significantly related to an increase in comorbidity likelihood; however, RS was not. Gender moderated the relationship between comorbidity and RI only. Originality/value The significant positive relationship found between RI and comorbidity for females only was a novel finding for the current study. Further research is needed to develop an understanding of the etiology of comorbidity.


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