Ashley A. Wiedemann

The relationship between binge eating and weight status on depression, anxiety, and body image among a diverse college sample: A focus on Bi/Multiracial women

Binge eating is associated with a host of adverse outcomes, but little is known about sex and racial differences among those who binge eat. The present study examined sex and racial group differences in binge eating based on weight status within a college-student population. It was hypothesized that White women would endorse higher rates of binge eating, depression, anxiety, and body image dissatisfaction than other groups. Participants completed a web-based survey assessing depression, anxiety, body image, weight history, physical activity, smoking, and body mass index. Participants included White, Black, and Bi/Multiracial college students. Findings highlighted sex and racial differences based on binge eating and weight status. Notably, Bi/Multiracial women who endorsed binge eating behavior and who were overweight reported greater levels of anxiety than all other groups and greater levels of depression than White women and White men. Additionally, Bi/Multiracial women and White women who endorsed binge eating behavior and who were overweight reported greater body image dissatisfaction relative to Black women and White men. Future research should further explore the nature and impact of sex and race differences on binge eating.

Clinical characteristics and treatment readiness of male and female problem gamblers calling a state gambling helpline

Helplines for problem gamblers play a critical role in a systems approach but more information is needed on the people who call. Men and women problem gamblers differ in the consequences of their gambling, and these differences likely affect motivation to change gambling behaviors. This study examined gender differences in gambling consequences and readiness to change gambling behaviors among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline. In total, 202 callers (n = 118 women; n = 84 men) were interviewed by telephone and asked questions about their gambling severity, psychosocial consequences of gambling, experience with the help they received from the helpline, and treatment readiness as assessed using the Stages of Change model. Women reported significantly greater problem gambling severity and financial consequences than men. They were more likely to have a family history of alcoholism, more likely to have sought mental health and gambling treatment than men. Women also reported greater readiness for changing gambling behaviors, and this gender difference was mediated, in part, by problem gambling symptom severity. These data reveal some consistent and important differences between male and female problem gamblers that should be considered when developing helpline services.

Emergence of New Onset substance use disorders among post-weight loss surgery patients

Elevated rates of substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly (but not only) alcohol use, are observed among post‐weight loss surgery (WLS) patients. The development of SUDs among post‐WLS patients typically occurs 1–2 years post‐surgery. Post‐WLS patients are developing SUD at a much later time of life than is typical of SUDs in the general population, suggesting they constitute a distinct SUD phenotype that is directly related to having undergone WLS.

The Relationship of Body Image to Body Mass Index and Binge Eating: The Role of Cross-Situational Body Image Dissatisfaction versus Situational Reactivity

Although body image is often conceptualized as a trait, there is growing recognition of situational influences. It was hypothesized that college women whose body image was more reactive to situational influences would be more likely to experience adverse weight-related outcomes, including obesity and binge eating behavior. In a pilot study, vignettes were rated to yield a range of situational body image ratings, and the three vignettes that captured the full range (lowest, median, and highest ratings) were used in the main study. In the main study, 138 female undergraduates (M = 19.5 yr., SD = 1.9; 74.6% “White or Caucasian”) completed a survey that included the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns–Revised. They also provided Body Image State Scale ratings in response to three vignettes drawn from the pilot study. Body image “reactivity” was defined as the range over which body image scores varied for a given participant (standard deviation of the means). Contrary to predictions, overall body dissatisfaction across situations—but not situational reactivity—was related to higher BMI, greater likelihood of binge eating, and higher depression. Results suggest when body image dissatisfaction is relatively impervious to situational influences, it may be a risk factor for disordered eating behavior, whereas body image dissatisfaction that is responsive to situational influences appears to be less pathognomonic.

The relationship between emotional eating and weight problem perception is not a function of body mass index or depression

Weight problem perception (WPP) refers to the belief that one is overweight. Previous research suggests that WPP, even in the absence of actual overweight status, is associated with disordered eating, binge eating, and body image dissatisfaction. However, the relationship between emotional eating, BMI, and WPP has not yet been explored. This investigation recruited a total of 409 college students who completed a web-based survey. An additional 76 participants were recruited to complete an identical survey with the addition of a depression measure to evaluate the contribution of this potentially important covariate. As hypothesized, WPP was associated with emotional eating, while actual BMI was not. In the second sample, WPP remained significantly associated with emotional eating, even after depression was included as a covariate. Results suggest that non-overweight young adults who express the belief that they are overweight may be at risk for emotional eating, which, over the long term, could indeed adversely impact BMI. Cognitive approaches to address disordered eating may benefit from addressing WPP.

Barriers to and Reasons for Treatment Initiation Among Gambling Help-line Callers.

Abstract Identifying barriers to seeking treatment is essential for increasing problem gambler treatment initiation in the community, given that as few as 1 in 10 problem gamblers ever seek treatment. Further, many problem gamblers who take the initial step of contacting problem gambling help-lines do not subsequently go on to attend face-to-face treatment. There is limited research examining reasons for attending treatment among this population. This study addressed these gaps in the literature by examining barriers and attractions to treatment among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Help-line. In total, 143 callers (n = 86 women) completed the Barriers to Treatment for Problem Gambling (BTPG) questionnaire and responded to open-ended questions regarding barriers to and reasons for treatment initiation, as part of a telephone interview. Greater endorsement of barriers to treatment was associated with a lower likelihood of initiating treatment, especially perceived absence of problem and treatment unavailability. Correspondingly, problem gamblers who identified more reasons to attend treatment were more likely to attend, with positive treatment perceptions being the most influential. These findings can help get people into treatment by addressing barriers and fostering reasons for attending treatment, as well as reminding clinicians of the importance of identifying and addressing individual treatment barriers among patients with problem gambling.