Effects of cognitive load on food approach bias in individuals with binge eating disorder

While the hierarchical model of approach-avoidance motivation suggests a heightened food-specific approach behavior for individuals with binge eating disorder (BED), empirical evidence does not confirm the postulated food approach bias. This discrepancy may be related to the studied samples, which were partially in treatment, but also to the fact that previous studies tested for an approach bias under low cognitive load. Therefore, the present study assessed the food-specific approach behavior in an untreated sample with BED under high and low cognitive load, in comparison to a weight-matched and a normal weight control group. To this end, 50 individuals with BED, 20 individuals with overweight and 21 individuals with normal weight completed an approach avoidance task. In each trial, participants were instructed to either push or pull a slider device, dependent on the orientation of an arrow, which was superimposed on a picture. The underlying picture either depicted a high calorie food item or a neutral stimulus. Cognitive load was manipulated by two flanking arrows that either pointed in the same or the opposite direction to the task-relevant central arrow. First, and contrary to our hypothesis, the food-specific approach bias was not stronger in the group with BED compared to both control groups. Post-hoc tests further revealed no food-specific approach bias in any of the three groups. Moreover, and contrary to our hypothesis, cognitive load did not show a group specific impact on the food approach behavior. However, cognitive load did increase the food approach behavior across groups. The results of this study, in conjunction with previous studies suggest, that there is no clear food approach bias in individuals with BED, at least when movement direction is not explicitly contingent on picture content.