Ecological Momentary Assessment of Impulsivity and Overeating and Loss of Control Eating in Adolescents

Impulsivity has been linked to overeating and loss of control eating (LOCE), yet most adolescent research has focused on between-subjects (i.e., trait) impulsivity; thus, less is known about how within-subjects (i.e., state) impulsivity predicts overeating and LOCE. Given this gap, this study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine the construct validity of the four-item Momentary Impulsiveness Scale (MIS) in adolescents and the relationship between within- and between-subjects impulsivity and overeating and LOCE.

Seventy-four adolescents (M_age = 15.68) completed a 10-day EMA protocol, reporting impulsivity (measured with the MIS) and eating behaviours multiple times daily. Generalised linear mixed models were run examining associations between baseline impulsivity measures and EMA impulsivity and impulsivity, disaggregated into within- and between-subjects effects, as a prospective predictor of overeating and LOCE.

Generally, baseline impulsivity measures predicted elevated EMA impulsivity. Also, higher within-subject impulsivity significantly predicted greater LOCE and higher between-subject impulsivity was significantly associated with greater overeating and LOCE.

Analyses demonstrated concordance between baseline and EMA impulsivity measures in adolescents and suggested that state impulsivity impacts the perceived control over eating. Adolescent preventions/interventions that provide strategies to reduce or mitigate state impulsivity warrant further investigation (e.g., providing in-the-moment self-regulatory strategies when feeling impulsive).