Examining the roles of reward sensitivity and difficulties in emotion regulation in relation to low-restraint binge eating

Leading treatments for binge eating target dietary restraint, but up to 35% of the people with binge eating report low restraint. This study examined the roles of reward sensitivity and emotion dysregulation in relation to low-restraint binge eating. Women with binge eating (low-restraint: n = 22; high-restraint: n = 69) and controls (n = 49) completed self-report measures of generalized reward sensitivity and emotion dysregulation and a picture-viewing task assessing craving and pleasure for high-calorie food. As expected, food-related craving and emotion dysregulation were greater in the clinical than in the control group, but no differences emerged between high- and low-restraint binge eating groups. However, correlational analyses found that, within the clinical group, the number of restraint days related to greater anticipatory sensitivity for generalized rewards and lower pleasure ratings of food. Results suggest that emotion dysregulation characterizes both high- and low-restraint binge eating. As self-reported food liking was linked with lower restraint, greater enjoyment of palatable foods may uniquely contribute to low-restraint binge eating. Increasing emphasis on emotion regulation and food-related reward sensitivity may enhance treatment outcomes for individuals with low-restraint binge eating.