A prospective study on the link between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating: Role of food addiction and psychological distress. Issue 3 (6th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahorsu, Daniel K.; Lin, Chung‐Ying; Imani, Vida; Griffiths, Mark D.; Su, Jian‐An; Latner, Janet D.; Marshall, Rachel D.; Pakpour, Amir H.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 53:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2020-01-06
• Subjects: adolescents -- binge eating -- food addiction -- psychological distress -- weight‐related self‐stigma; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23219
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This prospective study investigated the link between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating by (a) examining the temporal association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating; (b) investigating the mediating role of food addiction in the association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating; and (c) examining the mediating role of psychological distress in the association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating. Method: Participants comprised 1, 497 adolescents (mean = 15.1 years; SD = 6.0). Body mass index and weight bias were assessed at baseline; psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) assessed and food addiction at 3 months; and binge eating at 6 months. The mediation model was analyzed using Model 4 in the PROCESS macro for SPSS with 10, 000 bootstrapping resamples. Results: There was no significant direct association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating. However, food addiction and psychological distress significantly mediated the association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating. Discussion: These findings highlight the indirect association between weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating via food addiction and psychological distress. Consequently, intervention programs targeting food addiction and psychological distress among adolescents may have significant positive effects on outcomes for weight‐related self‐stigma and binge eating. The findings will be beneficial to researchers and healthcare professionals working with adolescents during this critical developmental period.