Facets of impulsivity and reward in relation to binge‐eating disorder course of illness among children: findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study examined facets of impulsivity and reward sensitivity [as measured by the UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale and Behavioral Activation and Behavioral Inhibition Scales (BIS/BAS)] as multivariable predictors of subsequent binge‐eating disorder (BED) course of illness in middle childhood.MethodsThe current sample included children aged 9–10 years (N = 9,438) who took part in the baseline and 1‐year follow‐up assessments of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. BED course was operationalized as those who never developed BED or subthreshold BED (SBED) (‘control’), were diagnosed with BED/SBED at year 1 but not baseline (‘developers’), were diagnosed with BED/SBED at baseline but not year 1 (‘remitters’), or were diagnosed with BED/SBED at both times (‘maintainers’).ResultsHigher baseline BIS/BAS reward responsivity scores were related to the greater likelihood of belonging to the maintainer group relative to the control and remitter groups (ORs1.12–1.19). Regarding covariates, higher baseline body mass index percentile and internalizing symptoms were related to the greater likelihood of BED development, remittance, and maintenance compared to the control group (ORs = 1.04–1.14); no variables were uniquely related to BED development. Exploratory analyses showed that the likelihood of belonging to the maintainer group compared to the control group was greatest at higher levels of negative urgency in combination with high reward responsivity.ConclusionsHeightened reward responsivity may convey risk for poorer BED course in children, while emotional disorder symptomatology may act as a more general risk and maintenance factor for BED.