Characterizing alcohol-related disordered eating behaviors in adults with binge eating

Purpose Alcohol-related disordered eating behaviors (ADEBs; i.e., engagement in dietary restriction or excessive exercise before or after drinking alcohol to avoid weight gain) are associated with negative psychosocial and medical consequences. Previous research has primarily studied ADEBs among community samples. Individuals with clinically significant binge eating may also engage in ADEBs given high rates of alcohol use and inappropriate weight-control behaviors. The current study aimed to characterize the prevalence and psychological correlates (i.e., weight and shape concerns, alcohol consumption, binge eating frequency) of ADEBs among individuals with clinically significant binge eating. Methods Participants were 166 treatment-seeking individuals who engaged in once weekly binge eating over the past three months. Participants completed a clinical interview to assess eating disorder symptoms and self-report measures of alcohol consumption patterns and ADEBs engagement. Results Over one-fourth of participants endorsed at least one ADEBs in the past three months. Participants who endorsed ADEBs reported greater alcohol consumption than participants who drank alcohol but did not endorse ADEBs, after controlling for eating disorder diagnosis. Greater frequency of ADEBs was related to higher weight and shape concerns among individuals who endorsed ADEBs in the past three months. Presence of ADEBs and ADEBs frequency were not related to binge eating frequency. Conclusion Results suggest that clinicians treating individuals with binge eating who drink alcohol should screen for ADEBs and assess how ADEBs may contribute to an individual’s eating pathology. Future research should assess the temporal relationship between alcohol use and ADEBs engagement, and study ADEBs in BN-spectrum samples. Level of evidence Level V, descriptive studies.