Sleep, mood, and binge eating: Evidence from a student sample

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sleep Science
• Eating Disorders

Background:

• Binge eating is a common symptom across a spectrum of conditions.
• Sleep difficulties are prevalent in diagnosed eating disorders, but less is known about undiagnosed individuals.
• Understanding the sleep-binge eating relationship in undiagnosed populations is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between binge eating and sleep quality/duration in an undiagnosed student sample.
• To explore the role of emotional regulation, specifically low mood and worry, in this relationship.
• To differentiate between objective and subjective sleep measures in relation to binge eating.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-nine participants without eating disorder diagnoses were grouped by binge eating levels (low vs. moderate-to-high).
• A 7-day protocol involved objective sleep monitoring (actigraphy) and subjective self-report questionnaires.
• Assessed variables included mood, sleep quality, eating disorder symptoms, worry, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype.

Main Results:

• Moderate-to-high binge eaters reported worse perceived sleep quality, lower mood, and increased worry.
• No significant differences in objective sleep measures (actigraphy) were found between binge eating groups.
• Low mood, but not worry, significantly mediated the association between sleep and binge eating.

Conclusions:

• Affective factors and perceived sleep quality are important in the sleep-binge eating link among undiagnosed individuals.
• Objective sleep measures alone may not fully capture this relationship.
• Findings inform sleep research in at-risk populations and public health interventions for eating disorders.