From impulsivity to binge eating: the mediating influence of emotional, external, and restrictive eating styles

This study aimed to examine the associations between impulsivity, dysfunctional eating styles (emotional, external, and restrictive eating), and binge eating in a nonclinical sample of young adults, as well as to test the mediating role of dysfunctional eating styles in the relationship between impulsivity and binge eating.

A total of 390 young adults (M_age = 22.36, 59% women) self-reported impulsivity (UPPS-P scale), dysfunctional eating styles (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), binge eating (Binge Eating Scale), weight and height.

Negative urgency was significantly associated with emotional (β = 0.353, p < 0.001), external (β = 0.379, p < 0.001), and restrictive eating (β = 0.266, p < 0.001). Additionally, lack of perseverance was positively associated with external eating (β = 0.105, p = 0.050). All dysfunctional eating styles were positively linked to binge eating: emotional eating (β = 0.306, p < 0.001), external eating (β = 0.183, p < 0.001), and restrictive eating (β = 0.461, p < 0.001). Indirect effects revealed that only negative urgency was connected to binge eating through emotional eating (β = 0.106, p < 0.001), external eating (β = 0.068, p = 0.003), and restrictive eating (β = 0.120, p = 0.001).

The findings highlight the central role of negative urgency in the emergence of dysfunctional eating styles and binge eating, underscoring the importance of addressing negative urgency and dysfunctional eating styles in prevention programs and interventions to reduce the risk of binge eating.