Binge Eating Concerns Link to Influences on Self-Evaluation

This study investigated eating- and weight-related correlates of systematic over- and undervaluation of self-reported self-evaluation influences in a mostly overweight and obese female community sample (n = 115). Participants completed Likert scale, rank-ordering, and pairwise forced-choice measures of self-evaluation influence importance, and a questionnaire assessing binge eating concerns (BEC); height and weight were measured for body mass index (BMI). Only rank-ordering and forced-choice methods constrained choices among influences. Women with BEC overvalue shape, weight and facial attractiveness, and undervalue being a good person and religion/spirituality. Likert scale and forced-choice tasks suggest women with BEC overvalue appearing put together. Intelligence, personality, and (on the forced-choice task) family are undervalued on constraining measures among women with BEC. Systematic over- and undervaluation of relevant influences is found in women with BEC; overvaluation of shape and weight may come with costs. Continued use of constraining measures will enhance our understanding of women's self-evaluation influences.