Body Image, Disordered Eating, and Psychological Functioning as Prospective Predictors of Inflexible Eating

Most research on dieting behaviours has examined rigid dieting, characterised by strict, rule-bound approaches to eating that reflect an all-or-nothing mindset. However, this work has primarily emphasised behavioural features, with comparatively less attention to the cognitive and emotional processes underlying rigid control. Inflexible eating has recently been proposed as a specific construct capturing psychological inflexibility in the domain of eating, including rigid adherence to self-imposed rules and distress when these are violated. While conceptually related to rigid restraint, inflexible eating extends beyond traditional behavioural conceptualisations by incorporating these psychological processes. Despite its relevance, prospective evidence on its predictors remains limited.

This study examined whether baseline body image facets (body dissatisfaction, fear of weight gain, overvaluation, and preoccupation), disordered eating behaviours (binge eating, driven exercise, and muscularity-oriented disordered eating [MODE]), and psychological functioning (depressive and anxiety symptoms) prospectively predicted inflexible eating. A total of 1760 women (M = 34.00 years, SD = 9.40; 81.3% White) completed measures at Time 1 (T1), with 1237 providing 3-month follow-up data (Time 2; T2).

Bivariate analyses showed that all T1 body image facets, poor psychological functioning, and disordered eating behaviours except binge eating predicted higher T2 inflexible eating. In multivariate analyses, T1 fear of weight gain, MODE, and depressive symptoms uniquely predicted greater T2 inflexible eating.

Findings identify key psychological and behavioural precursors of inflexible eating, underscoring potential targets for early intervention and prevention.