Hannah J White1, Emma Haycraft2, Caroline Meyer3. 1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. Electronic address: H.J.White@lboro.ac.uk. 2. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. 3. WMG and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore differences in family mealtime characteristics and family mealtime emotions among adolescents who report engaging in binge-eating in comparison to those who do not. METHOD: Adolescents (N = 495) recruited from UK schools/colleges reported on their family mealtime frequency and atmosphere, family mealtime emotions, anxiety, depression and eating psychopathology. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between adolescents who reported binge-eating (n = 32 boys; n = 82 girls) and those who did not (n = 196 boys; n = 185 girls) on family mealtime frequency or mealtime atmosphere scores. However, boys and girls who binge-eat reported significantly lower levels of positive family mealtime emotions and significantly higher levels of family mealtime anxiety and anger (girls only), compared with their peers who did not report binge-eating. DISCUSSION: Adolescents who binge-eat experience significantly greater negative emotional responses to family mealtimes than their peers. Further research should explore why these experiences are more negative, including broader familial factors and interactions.
OBJECTIVE: To explore differences in family mealtime characteristics and family mealtime emotions among adolescents who report engaging in binge-eating in comparison to those who do not. METHOD: Adolescents (N = 495) recruited from UK schools/colleges reported on their family mealtime frequency and atmosphere, family mealtime emotions, anxiety, depression and eating psychopathology. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between adolescents who reported binge-eating (n = 32 boys; n = 82 girls) and those who did not (n = 196 boys; n = 185 girls) on family mealtime frequency or mealtime atmosphere scores. However, boys and girls who binge-eat reported significantly lower levels of positive family mealtime emotions and significantly higher levels of family mealtime anxiety and anger (girls only), compared with their peers who did not report binge-eating. DISCUSSION: Adolescents who binge-eat experience significantly greater negative emotional responses to family mealtimes than their peers. Further research should explore why these experiences are more negative, including broader familial factors and interactions.