Eating expectancies and hedonic hunger among individuals with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders who plan binge-eating episodes

Abstract

Objective: Binge planning (BP; i.e., preparatory thoughts and actions to facilitate future binge-eating episodes) is hypothesized to distract individuals from negative affect and increase the salience of food. Thus, individuals who engage in BP may report greater positive eating expectancies (i.e., beliefs about the outcomes of eating) and hedonic hunger (i.e., desire to eat for pleasure), as BP may increase the likelihood of obtaining these expected outcomes; but empirical tests of this possibility are needed. Method: Prior to starting treatment, adults (N = 86) with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders were assessed for engagement in BP and self-reported on eating expectancies and hedonic hunger. Results: Twenty-nine participants (33.7%) reported planning at least one binge-eating episode in the previous 28 days. Compared to individuals who did not report BP, individuals who reported BP had greater expectancies that eating would alleviate negative affect (t = −2.54, p =.013) and boredom (U = 503.50, p =.006). Groups did not differ on levels of hedonic hunger (t = −1.68, p =.096). Discussion: These findings suggest that BP status is linked to expectancies that eating will reduce negative affect. However, more data are needed to determine the temporal relationships among eating expectancies, hedonic hunger and BP. Trial registration numbers: NCT02716831, NCT03673540.