Significance of overvaluation of weight and shape in childhood binge-eating disorder: Results from a population-based study

Binge-eating disorder (BED) involves recurrent binge-eating episodes with significant distress and is associated with adverse psychological and social problems. Previous studies in adults have suggested that presence of overvaluation of shape and weight may be a clinically relevant subtype of BED. The purpose of this study was to examine if overvaluation represents an important subtype of BED in children. It was hypothesized that children with both BED and overvaluation will have a higher body mass index z-scores (BMI-z) and internalizing psychopathology and lower cognitive functioning scores. Participants included a diverse sample of children between the ages of 9 and 10 years old from the baseline wave of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. Caregivers completed the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, the Child Behavior Checklist, and measures of demographics, and children completed neurocognitive tests and had their height and weight measured. The analytic sample included 7200 children. There were no interactions between BED status and overvaluation in relation to outcome variables. Yet, BED and overvaluation were independently associated with higher internalizing symptoms, higher BMI-z, and poorer cognitive functioning. Contrary to the expectations, results did not support significant interactions between BED status and overvaluation in children. However, the study highlights the independent clinical significance of BED and overvaluation with higher BMI-z, higher internalizing symptoms, and poorer cognitive functioning. Future studies are necessary to determine the developmental trajectories of BED and overvaluation into adolescence and adulthood.