Tatjana van Strien1, Machteld A Ouwens. 1. Behavioral Science Institute, Department of Clinical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. vanstrien@psych.ru.nl
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To improve our understanding of possible mechanisms underlying emotional overeating this study examined the effects of a distress manipulation on food intake in relation to alexithymia and impulsivity. METHOD:Participants were 86 females who were subjected to a distress manipulation (the anticipation of a public speaking task) prior to an ad lib taste task and filled out questionnaires on impulsivity and the alexithymia constructs difficulty identifying and describing feelings. RESULTS:Alexithymia significantly (p<.05) moderated the relationship between food consumption and distress. Instead of eating less in the distress condition, alexithymic females ate the same or even more, this showing a 'biological unnatural' and 'inapt' response. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that for the 'natural' distress response (reduction of food intake) good ability to identify and describe feelings to others is required, and that the presence or absence of these abilities may predict which people respond to distress by undereating or by overeating. The results provide empirical support for Bruch's conceptualisation of poor interoceptive awareness as possible predictive factor for emotional overeating.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To improve our understanding of possible mechanisms underlying emotional overeating this study examined the effects of a distress manipulation on food intake in relation to alexithymia and impulsivity. METHOD:Participants were 86 females who were subjected to a distress manipulation (the anticipation of a public speaking task) prior to an ad lib taste task and filled out questionnaires on impulsivity and the alexithymia constructs difficulty identifying and describing feelings. RESULTS: Alexithymia significantly (p<.05) moderated the relationship between food consumption and distress. Instead of eating less in the distress condition, alexithymic females ate the same or even more, this showing a 'biological unnatural' and 'inapt' response. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that for the 'natural' distress response (reduction of food intake) good ability to identify and describe feelings to others is required, and that the presence or absence of these abilities may predict which people respond to distress by undereating or by overeating. The results provide empirical support for Bruch's conceptualisation of poor interoceptive awareness as possible predictive factor for emotional overeating.
Authors: Kristin L Schneider; Emily Panza; Bradley M Appelhans; Matthew C Whited; Jessica L Oleski; Sherry L Pagoto Journal: Appetite Date: 2012-01-14 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Güzin M Sevinçer; Numan Konuk; Derya İpekçioğlu; Ross D Crosby; Li Cao; Halil Coskun; James E Mitchell Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2016-06-24 Impact factor: 4.652