학술논문

Anxiety, stress, and binge eating tendencies in adolescence: a prospective approach
Document Type
article
Source
Journal of Eating Disorders, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 1-16 (2021)
Subject
Eating disorder
Binge eating
Eating behaviour
Anxiety
Stress
Adolescence
Psychiatry
RC435-571
Language
English
ISSN
2050-2974
Abstract
Plain English Summary Binge eating tendencies have become an increasingly common phenomenon in adolescent populations. These behaviours involve consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time, during which one feels out of control and unable to stop. Episodes are often followed by marked emotional distress that can serve to perpetuate and maintain these tendencies. The current study examined a group of adolescents aged 13 to 16 over three testing periods spaced 12 to 18 months apart, to investigate whether high levels of anxiety and stress interacted to increase likelihood of binge eating tendencies in individuals over time. Results revealed that participants who experienced higher anxiety and stress than usual were more likely to score highly on binge eating tendencies measures, compared to when they experienced lower levels of anxiety and stress. Correspondingly, we recommend raising greater awareness in parents, educators, and health professionals of the link between high anxiety and stress and increased risk of binge eating tendencies, in order to facilitate better prevention, detection, and early intervention.