Examining predictors of binge eating behaviors among racially and ethnically diverse college men

Objective: College men may be at risk for binge eating (BE) but are underrepresented in research. This study aimed to examine if body weight/shape concerns, perceived stress, and psychological distress significantly contributed to the likelihood of BE over the past 28 days. Participants: A racially/ethnically diverse sample (N = 873) of college men. Method: An anonymous online survey was administered. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the hypothesized associations for the entire sample, and exploratory analyses were conducted within each racial/ethnic group. Results: The model explained approximately 25% of the variance in BE, with body weight/shape concerns as the only significant predictor in the overall sample and for the White, Black, and Asian subsamples; none of the variables were significant among Latino men. Conclusions: Body weight/shape concerns predict BE among diverse college men. The findings have implications for future research, as well as for prevention and intervention for college men

The Role of Disordered Eating in Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus continue to rise around the world, largely due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, overeating, and lack of physical activity. Diet and eating is often the most challenging aspect of management and, when disordered, has been associated with increased risk for diabetes-related complications. Thus, there is a clear need for accessible and evidence-based interventions that address the complex lifestyle behaviors that influence diabetes management. The current study sought to assess the efficacy and acceptability of a pilot lifestyle intervention for women with type 2 diabetes and disordered eating. The intervention followed a cognitive behavioral therapy guided-self-help (CBTgsh) model and included several pillars of lifestyle medicine, including: diet, exercise, stress, and relationships. Ten women completed the 12-week intervention that provided social support, encouraged physical activity, and addressed eating behaviors and cognitions. Results indicate the lifestyle intervention was a feasible treatment for disordered eating behaviors among women with type 2 diabetes and was also associated with improved diabetes-related quality of life. The intervention was also acceptable to participants who reported satisfaction with the program. The current CBTgsh lifestyle intervention is a promising treatment option to reduce disordered eating and improve diabetes management

Factors that influence food amount ratings by White, Hispanic, and Asian samples

Objective: Two studies explored in nonclinical samples variables that may influence meal size assessments. Research Methods and Procedures: In Study 1, the contribution of dietary restraint, weight, depressive symptoms, and gender to ratings on the Food Amount Rating Scale was examined in 153 white women and 121 white men; in Study 2, the contribution of dietary restraint, weight, ethnicity, and ethnic group identification to Food Amount Rating Scale ratings was examined in 67 Asian, 81 Hispanic, and 107 white women. Results: Study 1 indicated that food amounts were rated as larger when rated by male rather than female raters (male rater, mean = 62.37, SD = 1.14; female rater, mean = 59.28, SD = 0.89), for female rather than male targets (male target, mean = 56.16, SD = 0.97; female target, mean = 64.87, SD = 1.02), and by restrained rather than unrestrained eaters (restrained, mean = 63.14, SD = 1.11; unrestrained, mean = 58.69, SD = 0.91). Study 2 indicated that food amounts were rated as larger when rated by restrained eaters (restrained, mean = 67.53, SD = 1.21; unrestrained, mean = 64.99, SD = 1.09), Hispanic women (Asian, mean = 64.59, SD = 1.61; Hispanic, mean = 68.71, SD = 1.30; white, mean = 65.41, SD = 1.34), and underweight women (underweight, mean = 70.38, SD = 1.68; normal weight, mean = 64.52, SD = 0.93; overweight: mean = 64.23, SD = 1.64). Discussion: Food amount judgments may be influenced by personal characteristics. Future research should examine whether variation in food amount judgments is related to dieting behavior, disordered eating, or obesity