The functions of binge eating scale (FBES): Development and preliminary psychometric validation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Eating Disorders Research

Background:

• Binge eating in binge-eating disorder (BED) is traditionally viewed as a response to dietary restraint and emotion dysregulation.
• Emerging qualitative research suggests a broader spectrum of functions for binge eating, with links to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a scale measuring diverse functions of binge eating in BED.
• To investigate the relationship between these identified functions and ACEs.

Main Methods:

• An initial item pool for the Functions of Binge Eating Scale (FBES) was expert-reviewed.
• The refined scale was administered online to 882 adults with self-reported binge eating symptoms, alongside validity measures.

Main Results:

• Factor analysis yielded an eight-factor structure for the FBES, including emotion regulation, hedonic hunger, and self-protection.
• The scale demonstrated good reliability and validity, with ACEs predicting functions linked to childhood maltreatment.

Conclusions:

• The FBES expands understanding of binge eating functions in BED, revealing a wider range than previously recognized.
• Specific ACEs predict distinct binge eating functions, suggesting tailored clinical approaches are needed to address complex perpetuating factors.