Disordered Eating Among Individuals with Excess Weight: a Review of Recent Research

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review was to examine different forms of disordered eating among individuals with excess weight, including their rates, correlates, and psychosocial treatments.

Recent findings: Binge eating/binge eating disorder, loss of control eating, emotional eating, and food addiction are all fairly prevalent among individuals with excess weight. They appear to share many of the same correlates, including broader eating disorder psychopathology, body/shape/weight concerns, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and third-wave (e.g., acceptance, mindfulness) therapies appear effective in improving binge eating, loss of control eating, emotional eating, associated features (e.g., weight and shape concerns), and psychological distress (e.g., depression). Certain forms of disordered eating are elevated among individuals with excess weight, and psychosocial interventions have been found effective in improving symptomatology. Empirical research examining the efficacy of treatments for food addiction is lacking, and greatly needed given both its rate and controversy.

Keywords: Binge eating; Bulimia; Disordered eating; Eating disorders; Emotional eating; Food addiction; Loss of control eating; Night eating; Obesity; Overweight; Treatment; Weight.