Frequency and Predictors of Shape/Weight Concerns and Objective Binge Eating in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Eating Disorders

Background:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) initially prohibited diagnosing avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) alongside significant shape/weight concerns.
• Emerging research and updates in DSM-5-TR suggest potential overlap between ARFID and shape/weight concerns, now permitting comorbid binge-eating disorder with ARFID.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare shape/weight concerns in adults with ARFID against healthy controls (HCs) and nonclinical norms.
• To determine the prevalence of clinical-level shape/weight concerns and past-month objective binge episodes (OBEs) in adults with ARFID.
• To identify ARFID characteristics associated with elevated shape/weight concerns and OBEs.

Main Methods:

• Adults diagnosed with ARFID (N=83) and healthy controls (N=41) were recruited for the study.
• Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) to assess psychopathology related to eating disorders.

Main Results:

• Adults with ARFID reported significantly higher shape/weight concerns than HCs, but lower concerns compared to nonclinical norms.
• A small percentage (2%) of adults with ARFID exhibited clinical-level shape/weight concerns.
• Fifteen percent of adults with ARFID reported experiencing past-month objective binge episodes (OBEs).
• Higher body weight was identified as a unique predictor of shape/weight concerns in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Shape/weight concerns are generally less pronounced in adults with ARFID compared to the general population.
• A minority of adults with ARFID, particularly those with higher body weights, may present with clinically significant shape/weight concerns and objective binge episodes.