The importance of thinking styles in predicting binge eating

A V Nikčević; C Marino; G Caselli; M M Spada

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.01.002

The importance of thinking styles in predicting binge eating

Eat Behav. 2017 Aug:26:40-44. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.01.002. Epub 2017 Jan 10.

Authors

A V Nikčević¹, C Marino², G Caselli³, M M Spada⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della Socializzazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.
³ Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK; Studi Cognitivi, Milano, Italy; Sigmund Freud University, Milano, Italy.
⁴ Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK.

PMID: 28131965
DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.01.002

Abstract

Impulsivity, Body Mass Index, negative emotions and irrational food beliefs are often reported as predictors of binge eating. In the current study we explored the role played by two thinking styles, namely food thought suppression and desire thinking, in predicting binge eating among young adults controlling for established predictors of this condition. A total of 338 university students (268 females) participated in this study by completing a battery of questionnaires measuring the study variables. Path analysis revealed that impulsivity was not associated with binge eating, that Body Mass Index and negative emotions predicted binge eating, and that irrational food beliefs only influenced binge eating via food thought suppression and desire thinking. In conclusion, thinking styles appear an important predictor of binge eating and they should be taken into consideration when developing clinical interventions for binge eating.

Keywords: Binge eating; Desire thinking; Food thought suppression; Impulsivity; Irrational food beliefs; Negative emotions; Self-reported Body Mass Index.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Body Mass Index
Bulimia / psychology*
Emotions
Female
Food*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Impulsive Behavior
Male
Motivation
Students / psychology
Students / statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires
Thinking*
Young Adult