Emotional Eating, Binge Eating and Animal Models of Binge-Type Eating Disorders

Abstract

Purpose of review: The objective of this paper is to review the role that hedonic factors, emotions and self-regulation systems have over eating behaviours from animal models to humans.

Recent findings: Evidence has been found to suggest that for some high-risk individuals, obesity/binge eating may develop as an impulsive reaction to negative emotions that over time becomes a compulsive habit. Animal models highlight the neural mechanisms that might underlie this process and suggest similarities with substance use disorders. Emotional difficulties and neurobiological factors have a role in the aetiology of eating and weight disorders. Precise treatments targeted at these mechanisms may be of help for people who have difficulties with compulsive overeating.

Keywords: Animal model; Binge eating disorder; Bulimia nervosa; Emotional eating; Neurobiology.