Trait-Level Factors May Moderate Associations Among Interpersonal Distress, Affect, and Loss of Control Eating: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study of Higher Weight Youth.

objectiveThe interpersonal model of binge eating postulates that interpersonal distress (ID) leads to elevated negative affect (NA), which in turn promotes risk for binge eating. This model has received some support in young people, including within momentary study designs, but between-person factors that may modulate real-time associations among ID, NA, and dysregulated eating are unknown. This study aims to (1) replicate prior momentary research on the interpersonal model and (2) examine trait-level moderators that may impact observed momentary relationships.

methodsChildren aged 8-14 years (N = 40) with a body mass index ≥ 85th %ile completed measures of trait-level (stable/enduring) eating expectancies and perceptions of teasing prior to participating in a 2-week ecological momentary assessment protocol evaluating state-level (momentary) ID, NA, and loss of control (LOC) eating severity. Dynamic structural equation modeling assessed whether trait-level expectancies and teasing perceptions moderated associations between state-level ID, NA, and LOC eating severity.

resultsAt the between-person level, children with greater ID, on average, reported more severe LOC eating. At the within-person level, greater momentary ID was contemporaneously associated with higher NA. Relationships between ID, NA, and LOC eating were significantly moderated by frequency of weight-related teasing, though weakened between ID and LOC eating. DISCUSSION: Results from this study replicated and expanded prior research supporting aspects of the interpersonal model of binge eating in youth. Future studies should identify resilience factors that protect youth from adverse behavioral effects of weight-based interactions to inform early intervention efforts.