A Test of an Interactive Model of Binge Eating in Men

Abstract

Past research has shown that a combination of high perfectionism, high body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem is predictive of binge eating in college women (Bardone-Cone et al., 2006). The aim of the present study was to determine whether this triple interaction model was applicable to men. Male undergraduate college students from a Midwestern university (n=302) completed self-report measures online at two different time points. Analyses revealed a significant interaction between the three risk factors, such that high perfectionism, high body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem at Time 1was predictive of greater Time 2 binge eating symptoms. However, the triple interaction was no longer clinically meaningful when baseline binge eating symptoms were statistically controlled for in the analysis. The model did not predict Time 2 anxiety or depressive symptoms, which suggests some specificity. These findings offer a greater understanding of the interactive nature of risk factors in predicting binge eating in men.