A real world study on the genetic, cognitive and psychopathological differences of obese patients clustered according to eating behaviours

Validation and assessment of psychometric properties of the Greek Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (GR-EBA-O)

INTRODUCTION

With increasing morbidity and risk of death, obesity has become a serious health problem largely attributable to difficulties in finding proper treatments for related diseases. Many studies show how detecting abnormal eating behaviors could be useful in developing effective clinical treatments. This study aims at validating the Greek version of the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O).

METHOD

After a double English/Greek forward/backward translation of the EBA-O, 294 participants completed the Greek version (GR-EBA-O), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Binge Eating Scale, and the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and construct validity were calculated, and Two-way MANOVA was computed with the factors of GR-EBA-O controlling for sex and BMI categories.

RESULTS

CFA confirmed the second-order five factors (i.e., food addiction, night eating, binge eating, sweet eating, and prandial hyperphagia) structure of the original EBA-O with excellent fit indices. GR-EBA-O factors were highly correlated. The GR-EBA-O subscales were also significantly correlated with the remaining measures, demonstrating good concurrent validity.

CONCLUSION

The Greek version of the EBA-O has demonstrated sound psychometric properties and appears a reliable and user-friendly tool to identify pathological eating behaviors in obesity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V, descriptive research.

Does NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 Influence Eating Behaviors in Obese Patients with Binge Eating Disorder? Toward a Neurobiological Pathway

Nesfatin-1 is a new anorexigenic neuropeptide involved in the regulation of hunger/satiety, eating, and affective disorders. We aimed to investigate nesfatin-1 secretion in vitro, in murine adipose cells, and in human adipose fat samples, as well as to assess the link between circulating nesfatin-1 levels, NUCB2 and Fat Mass and Obesity Gene (FTO) polymorphisms, BMI, Eating Disorders (EDs), and pathological behaviors. Nesfatin-1 secretion was evaluated both in normoxic fully differentiated 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes and after incubation under hypoxic conditions for 24 h. Omental Visceral Adipose tissue (VAT) specimens of 11 obese subjects, and nesfatin-1 serum levels' evaluation, eating behaviors, NUCB2 rs757081, and FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms of 71 outpatients seeking treatment for EDs with different Body Mass Index (BMI) were studied. Significantly higher levels of nesfatin-1 were detected in hypoxic 3T3-L1 cultured adipocytes compared to normoxic ones. Nesfatin-1 was highly detectable in the VAT of obese compared to normal-weight subjects. Nesfatin-1 serum levels did not vary according to BMI, sex, and EDs diagnosis, but correlations with grazing; emotional, sweet, and binge eating; hyperphagia; social eating; childhood obesity were evident. Obese subjects with CG genotype NUCB2 rs757081 and AT genotype FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms had higher nesfatin-1 levels. It could represent a new biomarker of EDs comorbidity among obese patients.

Sex Differences in Emotions and Eating Behaviors among People Affected by Obesity

Relatively little research has examined sex differences among people affected by obesity. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between negative emotions and eating behaviors, taking into account the role of biological sex. The final sample consists of 200 candidates for bariatric surgery, 62 males (31%) and 138 females (69%), aged from 18 to 60 years (M = 40.71; SD = 11.30). Participants were screened with the Binge Scale Questionnaire (BSQ) and individually evaluated with the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Correlations were calculated by splitting the sample by sex. Analyses of the relationship between negative emotions and eating behavior showed a large number of correlations in the sample of women and few correlations in men. The differences between women and men with obesity suggest the need for a different theoretical construct that explains the differentiated mechanisms of functioning and lays the foundations for specific therapeutic paths.

Characterizing eating behavioral phenotypes in mood disorders: a narrative review

Mood disorders, including depressive and bipolar disorders, represent a multidimensional and prevalent group of psychiatric illnesses characterized by disturbances in emotion, cognition and metabolism. Maladaptive eating behaviors in mood disorders are diverse and warrant characterization in order to increase the precision of diagnostic criteria, identify subtypes and improve treatment strategies. The current narrative review synthesizes evidence for Eating Behavioral Phenotypes (EBP) in mood disorders as well as advancements in pathophysiological conceptual frameworks relevant to each phenotype. Phenotypes include maladaptive eating behaviors related to appetite, emotion, reward, impulsivity, diet style and circadian rhythm disruption. Potential treatment strategies for each phenotype are also discussed, including psychotherapeutic, pharmacological and nutritional interventions. Maladaptive eating behaviors related to mood disorders are relevant from both clinical and research perspectives, yet have been somewhat overlooked thus far. A better understanding of this aspect of mood disorders holds promise to improve clinical care in this patient group and contribute to the subtyping of these currently subjectively diagnosed and treated disorders.

Conscious and pre-conscious attentional bias to food images in patients subjected to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Attentional bias (AB) to food after bariatric surgery might be a cognitive marker for weight regain. The visual probe task (VPT) is commonly used to capture AB at automatic, pre-conscious, and conscious orientation of attention. The aim of this study was to investigate how the preoperative BMI of patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) impacts AB to food. We assessed patients who had preoperative BMI>50 (n = 28) or preoperative BMI<50 (n = 31) months after the RYGB procedure. Participants underwent clinical, psychological, and VPT evaluations. In VPT, pairs of food and matching non-food images were shown for 100 ms, 500 ms or 2000 ms and AB for food was assessed for each exposure time. A significant AB to food was observed at 2000 ms for all patients in this study, suggesting that the overall sample were consciously orienting their attention toward food cues after surgery, a finding that might be relevant for understanding weight control. When groups with preoperative BMI higher and lower than 50 kg/m2 were compared, a significant difference on AB to food stimuli at 500 ms was observed, controlling for excess weight lost since surgery and postoperative time. Subjects with preoperative BMI>50 had a positive and reliable AB to food while subjects with preoperative BMI<50 had a negative AB. This suggests that food stimuli have a higher incentive salience even after surgery for those with BMI>50, which might explain why subjects with higher preoperative weight have higher risks for weight regain. These results may indicate that RYGB can impact incentive salience for food cues in a differential manner, increasing conscious AB in all patients and decreasing pre-conscious AB only in those with BMI<50 kg/m2.

Development, validation and clinical use of the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O)

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a major health problem with an increasing risk of mortality, associated with comorbidities and high rates of dropout. Research demonstrated that pathological eating behaviors could help to phenotype obese patients thus tailoring clinical interventions. Therefore, our aim was to develop (study 1), validate (study 2), and test in a clinical setting (study 3) the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O).

METHOD

Study 1 included the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and McDonald's ω in a general population sample (N = 471). Study 2 foresaw the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and convergent validity in 169 participants with obesity. Study 3 tested the capability of the EBA-O to characterize eating behaviors in a clinical sample of 74 patients with obesity.

RESULTS

Study 1. EFA identified five factors (i.e., food addiction, night eating, binge eating, sweet eating, and prandial hyperphagia), explaining 68.3% of the variance. The final EBA-O consisted of 18 items. McDonald's ω ranged between 0.80 (hyperphagia) and 0.92 (binge eating), indicating very good reliability.

STUDY 2

A second-order five-factor model, through CFA, showed adequate fit: relative chi-square (χ²/df) = 1.95, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.075, and SRMR = 0.06, thus suggesting the appropriateness of the EBA-O model. Significant correlations with psychopathological questionnaires demonstrated the convergent validity. Study 3. Significant associations between EBA-O factors and emotional-related eating behaviors emerged.

CONCLUSION

The EBA-O demonstrated to be a reliable and easy-to-use clinical tool to identify pathological eating behaviors in obesity, particularly useful for non-experts in eating disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive research.

[Scale of Eating Behavior Phenotypes (EFCA), confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric properties]

INTRODUCTION

Weight gain depends on multiple modifiable mediating factors, including ingestive behavior phenotype. The Eating Behavior Phenotypes Scale (EFCA) is a self-administered questionnaire designed as a tool for clinical use to characterize different sub-phenotypes of ingestive behavior: hedonic, compulsive, emotional grazing, disorganized and hyperphagic.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to validate the psychometric properties of the Eating Behavior Phenotypes Scale (EFCA), to analyze the stability of the construct and its external validity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

three hundred adult participants completed a self-administered survey developed to identify eating behavior phenotypes (EFCA). A confirmatory factor analysis was performed, internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation method between EFCA and BMI.

RESULTS

The EFCA scale and the subscales showed an acceptable internal consistency (α > 0.70). The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good adjustment of the data to the proposed structure (SBχ922 = 155, p < 0.05; CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.04). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between BMI and both each subscale and total scale scores.

CONCLUSIONS

EFCA and its subscales are a valid instrument to assess eating phenotypes in adults. The five-component structure shows high stability and consistent results in relation to a previous study carried out with a sample of obese patients.

Executive functions and depressive symptoms interplay in binge eating disorder: A structural equation model analysis

OBJECTIVE

Executive functions (EF) have been so far investigated as potential endophenotypes for binge eating disorder (BED). However, major critical limitations in previous research, such as the influence of obesity and comorbid depression, prevented any consensus to be reached. The present study investigated the association between depressive symptoms, a broad range of EF and binge eating severity in individuals with obesity and with/without BED, and whether this association may be explained by a mediation or independency model.

METHOD

One hundred and seven participants completed clinical and psychometric examination. Associations between EF, depressive symptoms and binge eating severity were assessed through bivariate correlation analysis, and the magnitude, as well as the direction of associations between variables, was estimated with structural equation model.

RESULTS

Two reliable models were tested; results showed that depressive symptoms exhibited significant direct and indirect effects on the severity of binge eating; conversely, EF did not show either significant direct or indirect effect on binge eating severity.

CONCLUSION

Depression contributes more than EF to psychopathology of BED. Thus, clinicians should routinely assess and, eventually, tailor depressive symptoms in treatment to improve the outcomes of patients with BED.

Psychosocial and Diet-Related Lifestyle Clusters in Overweight and Obesity

This study explored intraindividual multidimensional profiles integrating psychosocial factors, namely, body image and satisfaction, weight-related self-stigma, positivity, and happiness, and behavioural-lifestyle factors, namely, adherence to a healthy diet, among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. We further aimed to investigate the association of excess weight (i.e., measured body mass index, BMI) with the abovementioned multidimensional configurations. A convenience sample of 100 adult individuals (60% females) with excessive weight (69% overweight; 31% obesity) was recruited. They completed self-reports regarding the study variables, and their weight and height were measured. With a perspective centered on the individual, a cluster analysis was performed. Three distinct intraindividual psychosocial and diet-related profiles were identified: a group of healthy individuals with excess weight (46%); a group of individuals who were negatively affected by their excessive weight and showed the most distressed profile (18%); and a group of dysfunctional individuals who seemed to be excessively unrealistic and optimistic regarding their excessive weight and unhealthy lifestyles, but were troubled by their weight (36%). Furthermore, individuals in the affected cluster had higher obesity (mean BMI ± SD = 32.1 ± 3.7) than those in the clusters of healthy (28.0 ± 3.0) and dysfunctional individuals (28.1 ± 3.3) (p < 0.05). The results showed that there are specific psychosocial and lifestyle profiles in the adult population with excess weight and that there are relationships among psychological, behavioural, and body-composition factors. For clinical application purposes, it is important to account for the heterogeneity within individuals who are obese and to individualize the interventions, with a focus from weight change to the individual's overall well-being.

An open-label trial on the efficacy and tolerability of naltrexone/bupropion SR for treating altered eating behaviours and weight loss in binge eating disorder

PURPOSE

Binge eating disorder (BED) has a considerable clinical relevance by virtue of its high numerous psychiatric and medical comorbidities; among the latter, the most frequent is obesity. Available treatments for BED have shown frequent relapse of binges or weight regain in the long term. The new combination of naltrexone and bupropion sustained release (NB) has proved to be effective for weight loss among obese patients. As NB acts on hypothalamic and reward circuits, that seem involved in the pathogenesis and maintenance of BED symptoms, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of NB in improving pathological eating behavior and losing weight in BED patients.

METHODS

In this preliminary study, 23 obese-BED patients and a control group of 20 obese non-BED patients (respectively, Groups 1 and 2) who had previously undergone at least 5 unsuccessful weight-loss programs were treated with NB in addition to modified life style. Evaluation at t0 and after 16 weeks of treatment (t1) included anthropometric measurement, eating behavior assessment and psychopathological questionnaires (EDE-Q, BES, YFAS, BDI and STAI).

RESULTS

A significant and similar weight loss (ΔBMI% ≈ 8%) was evident for both groups. Pathological eating behavior (i.e., binge, grazing, emotional eating, craving for carbohydrates, and post-dinner eating), BES score and YFAS severity significantly improved, especially among BED. NB was well tolerated and drop-out rate was low.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with NB, in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, seems an effective and well-tolerated option for improving pathological eating behavior and losing weight in obese-BED patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III case-control study.

Naturalistic and Uncontrolled Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Vortioxetine in Binge Eating Disorder With Comorbid Depression

Background: Binge eating disorder (BED) is clinically relevant by virtue of the global impairment, poor quality of life, and increased overall medical morbidity. The high comorbidity with psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has received attention as a possible mediator of the poor outcome. Further, BED and depression share cognitive dysfunctions. This naturalistic and uncontrolled pilot study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of vortioxetine (VTX) on depressive symptoms in patients with BED, secondly the efficacy in improving a broad array of executive functions, and third to explore the effect on eating behavior and body weight. Methods: This pilot study involved 30 patients with BED and comorbid MDD, treated with VTX for 24 weeks. Assessments were run at baseline (t 0), 4 (t 1), 8 (t 2), 12 (t 3), and 24 (t 4) weeks. Changes in depressive symptoms (HDRS and BDI), executive functions, eating behaviors (binge frequency and severity, night eating, food addiction), and body weight were estimated after treatment with VTX through GLM. Results: Significant improvements emerged after treatment with VTX in: depression (HDRS p < 0.001; BDI p = 0.002) regardless the dose of VTX and first diagnosis (BED/MDD), working memory (RAVLT acquisition p = 0.01, delay recall p < 0.001, RCFT percentage of recall p = 0.01, and Attentional Matrices p = 0.05), binge days frequency (p < 0.001), binge eating severity (BES p < 0.001), night eating (p = 0.001), food addiction (YFAS 2.0 p = 0.039), and body weight (p = 0.039). The improvement in depressive symptoms was associated with the concurrent improvement in night eating as assessed by the I-NEQ. Conclusions: VTX can be a valid therapeutic choice for patients with BED with comorbid depression in controlling the depressive symptoms, working memory, and eating behavior. Indeed, by acting on affective symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, and eating behaviors, it confirms the results already obtained with VTX in other disorders, expanding them to BED.

Metacognition and emotion regulation as treatment targets in binge eating disorder: a network analysis study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to examine the underlying associations between eating, affective and metacognitive symptoms in patients with binge eating disorder (BED) through network analysis (NA) in order to identify key variables that may be considered the target for psychotherapeutic interventions.

METHODS

A total of 155 patients with BED completed measures of eating psychopathology, affective symptoms, emotion regulation and metacognition. A cross-sectional network was inferred by means of Gaussian Markov random field estimation using graphical LASSO and the extended Bayesian information criterion (EBIC-LASSO), and central symptoms of BED were identified by means of the strength centrality index.

RESULTS

Impaired self-monitoring metacognition and difficulties in impulse control emerged as the symptoms with the highest centrality. Conversely, eating and affective features were less central. The centrality stability coefficient of strength was above the recommended cut-off, thus indicating the stability of the network.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the present NA findings, impaired self-monitoring metacognition and difficulties in impulse control are the central nodes in the psychopathological network of BED whereas eating symptoms appear marginal. If further studies with larger samples replicate these results, metacognition and impulse control could represent new targets of psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of BED. In light of this, metacognitive interpersonal therapy could be a promising aid in clinical practice to develop an effective treatment for BED.

Affectionless control: A parenting style associated with obesity and binge eating disorder in adulthood

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is rising globally with a heavy health and economic burden. Early attachment experiences are relevant to the development of obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate if parental care and attachment style experienced in childhood is associated with obesity, with or without binge eating disorder (BED), in adulthood.

METHOD

Parental style, personality traits, and psychopathology were assessed in 810 clinically referred adults with obesity, of whom 357 with BED and 453 without BED (non-BED), and 463 healthy subjects (HS). Assessments included the Parental Bonding Instrument, Temperament and Character Inventory, Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Symptom Checklist-90 and Beck Depression Inventory-II.

RESULTS

Both BED and non-BED reported lower maternal and paternal care and higher overprotection than HS. BED reported worse levels of parental care than non-BED and HS. 'Affectionless control' parenting style was more frequently reported by both BED and non-BED than HS. No significant differences in parenting style emerged between BED and non-BED.

CONCLUSIONS

Perception of parental 'affectionless control' was associated with obesity in adults, and lower quality of parental care was more frequently reported by participants with BED. Parental style may constitute an important target for early interventions to prevent obesity.

'Impaired Autonomy and Performance' predicts binge eating disorder among obese patients

PURPOSE

The present study examined the predictive value of early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains on the diagnosis of binge eating disorder (BED).

METHODS

Seventy obese patients seeking treatment for weight loss were recruited and allocated to either group 1 (obese) or group 2 (BED-obese) according to clinical diagnosis. Both groups underwent psychometric assessment for EMS (according to the latest four-factor model), eating and general psychopathologies. Logistic regression analysis was performed on significant variables and BED diagnosis.

RESULTS

In addition to showing higher values on all clinical variables, BED-obese patients exhibited significantly higher scores for all four schema domains. Regression analysis revealed a 12-fold increase in risk of BED with 'Impaired Autonomy and Performance'. Depression did not account for a higher risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired Autonomy and Performance is associated with BED in a sample of obese patients. Schema therapy should be considered a potential psychotherapy strategy in the treatment of BED.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case-control study.

Investigating phenotypes of emotional eating based on weight categories: A latent profile analysis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the phenotypes of individuals with emotional eating (EE) based on their levels of positive and negative EE, body mass index (BMI), and preoccupation with weight, and to assess differences in eating pathology and emotion regulation (ER) difficulties among them.

METHOD

A community sample of 605 women (mean age = 29.8 years, SD = 9.6; mean BMI = 23.4 kg/m² , SD = 4.7) filled out the Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale, Eating Disorders Assessment Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Data of BMI, positive EE, negative EE, and preoccupation with body weight were submitted to a latent profile analysis.

RESULTS

A four-profile model was discovered with normal weight individuals without EE (63%), normal weight individuals with EE (23%), overweight individuals without EE (9%), and obese individuals with EE (5%). A five-profile model was also included, as a class of normal weight individuals with positive EE was found. Obese and normal weight individuals with EE showed the highest level of ER difficulties and eating pathology. Overweight individuals without EE showed moderate levels of eating pathology and low levels of ER difficulties, suggesting that high BMI itself might not be related to eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. Normal weight individuals with positive EE showed low levels of eating pathology, but moderate levels of ER difficulties.

DISCUSSION

Our results suggest that negative EE could be an important risk factor for disordered eating, independent of BMI. Further, individuals with EE could benefit from learning adaptive ER strategies to prevent the onset or maintenance of ED or weight gain.

Clinical phenotype and genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder with binge eating: an update

Introduction: Clinical and genetic study of psychiatric conditions has underscored the co-occurrence of complex phenotypes and the need to refine them. Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Binge Eating (BE) behavior are common psychiatric conditions that have high heritability and high co-occurrence, such that at least one quarter of BD patients have BE (BD + BE). Genetic studies of BD alone and of BE alone suggest complex polygenic risk models, with many genetic risk loci yet to be identified. Areas covered: We review studies of the epidemiology of BD+BE, its clinical features (cognitive traits, psychiatric comorbidity, and role of obesity), genomic studies (of BD, eating disorders (ED) defined by BE, and BD + BE), and therapeutic implications of BD + BE. Expert opinion: Subphenotyping of complex psychiatric disorders reduces heterogeneity and increases statistical power and effect size; thus, it enhances our capacity to find missing genetic (and other) risk factors. BD + BE has a severe clinical picture and genetic studies suggests a distinct genetic architecture. Differential therapeutic interventions may be needed for patients with BD + BE compared with BD patients without BE. Recognizing the BD + BE subphenotype is an example of moving towards more precise clinical and genetic entities.