Studies on emotion regulation in anorexia nervosa and obesity: associations with body weight and eating disorder psychopathology

Abstract

Difficulties with emotion regulation (DER) have been described as a prominent deficit across the eating disorders (ED). In anorexia nervosa (AN), limited research has evaluated whether weight gain is associated with improvements in DER, and whether improvements in DER are associated with reductions in ED pathology. In obesity, there has been limited research into the role of DER on weight regain following weight loss. The aims of study one were to determine whether DER improved during specialized inpatient treatment for AN and to explore whether improvements in DER were associated with reductions in ED pathology. The aims of study two were to examine associations between DER, emotional eating (EE), and BMI over a 12-month period; and explore the relationship between DER, weight regain, and binge eating (BE). The participants in study one were 108 patients who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for AN and were admitted to an intensive treatment program. Self-report measures were administered at admission to and discharge from the program. The participants in study two were 75 participants recruited from the community who were obese and had recently lost at least 5% of their body weight. Self-report-measures were obtained at baseline, six-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Results of study one indicated improvements in DER among individuals who completed treatment and became weight restored, and a significant positive association between improvements in DER and reductions in ED pathology. In study two, baseline DER were not associated with EE or BMI change; however, participants demonstrated difficulties in emotional awareness comparable to the AN sample, and those who regained weight were significantly more likely to report BE at baseline. Study implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.