This study aimed to examine the associations between impulsivity, dysfunctional eating styles (emotional, external, and restrictive eating), and binge eating in a nonclinical sample of young adults, as well as to test the mediating role of dysfunctional eating styles in the relationship between impulsivity and binge eating. A total of 390 young adults (Mage = 22.36, 59% women) self-reported impulsivity (UPPS-P scale), dysfunctional eating styles (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), binge eating (Binge Eating Scale), weight and height. Negative urgency was significantly associated with emotional (β = 0.353, p < 0.001), external (β = 0.379, p < 0.001), and restrictive eating (β = 0.266, p < 0.001). Additionally, lack of perseverance was positively associated with external eating (β = 0.105, p = 0.050). All dysfunctional eating styles were positively linked to binge eating: emotional eating (β = 0.306, p < 0.001), external eating (β = 0.183, p < 0.001), and restrictive eating (β = 0.461, p < 0.001). Indirect effects revealed that only negative urgency was connected to binge eating through emotional eating (β = 0.106, p < 0.001), external eating (β = 0.068, p = 0.003), and restrictive eating (β = 0.120, p = 0.001). The findings highlight the central role of negative urgency in the emergence of dysfunctional eating styles and binge eating, underscoring the importance of addressing negative urgency and dysfunctional eating styles in prevention programs and interventions to reduce the risk of binge eating. Binge eating involves eating large amounts of food in a short time while feeling a loss of control. This study explored why binge eating may happen in young adults who do not have a diagnosed eating disorder. We focused on impulsive reactions to emotions and on different eating habits. We studied almost 400 young adults who answered questions about their eating behaviors and how they react when feeling strong emotions. The results showed that people who tend to act quickly and impulsively when feeling upset or distressed are more likely to develop unhealthy eating habits. These habits include eating to cope with emotions, eating because food looks or smells tempting, or trying to strictly control food intake. In turn, these eating habits increase the risk of binge eating. Our findings suggest that difficulty handling negative emotions plays a key role in binge eating. Helping people learn healthier ways to manage strong emotions may reduce unhealthy eating habits and lower the risk of binge eating, even in people without a clinical diagnosis.
Escrivà-Martínez et al. (Mon,) studied this question.