Heart Rate Variability and Laboratory-Based Loss-of-Control Eating in Children and Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Elevated heart rate (HR) and reduced heart rate variability (HRV) are linked to loss-of-control (LOC) eating in adolescents in real-world settings.
• Limited research exists on the association between pre-meal physiological markers and LOC eating within laboratory environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between pre-meal heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and perceived loss-of-control (LOC) eating in a laboratory setting.
• To examine if these physiological markers predict energy intake during a simulated LOC eating episode.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 209 participants (mean age 12.58 years) who underwent a meal designed to elicit LOC eating.
• Measurements included pre-meal heart rate (HR), frequency- and time-domain HRV metrics, perceived LOC eating, and total energy intake.
• Analysis focused on temporal associations between physiological data and eating behaviors.

Main Results:

• Perceived LOC eating was not significantly associated with pre-meal HR (p=0.37).
• Pre-meal HRV showed a positive association with perceived LOC eating (p=0.02-0.04), particularly in youth with recent LOC eating history.
• No significant relationships were found between pre-meal HR or HRV and total energy intake (p=0.27-0.81).

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that higher pre-meal HRV might be linked to perceived LOC eating in some youth, especially those with a history of such episodes.
• Further research, including longitudinal studies, is needed to understand the role of pre-meal stress responses in early pediatric LOC eating and its progression.