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The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity and Eating Expectancy in Maladaptive Eating Behavior

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Abstract

Research has shown that anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear of somatic arousal, predicts distress and maladaptive coping in a range of psychiatric conditions. More recently, the role of AS has been examined in pathological eating. In the current investigation, a two-study design was employed to examine the role of AS and eating expectancies in both self-reported and actual eating behavior. For Study 1, 42 overweight/obese participants completed questionnaires assessing AS, as well as eating behaviors and attitudes. In Study 2, 60 participants representing all weight ranges completed the same questionnaire battery and underwent a negative mood induction task followed by food exposure. Results of this study revealed a 3-way interaction between Anxiety Sensitivity Index-mental concerns subscale, Eating Expectancy Inventory—eating leads to feeling out of control subscale, and BMI suggesting that those elevated on all 3 constructs consumed the most calories. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of AS and eating expectancy and its utility in identifying a subset of overweight/obese individuals at risk for maladaptive eating behavior.

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Notes

  1. Analyses examining the interaction of BMI, AS-MC, and EEI Scale 3 were also examined while including change in PANAS positive and negative affect scales as covariates. Results indicate that while both variables did not emerge as significant predictors, the change in PANAS negative scale approached significance (β = .26; df = 7, 47; t = 1.93; p = .06). The 3-way interaction and AS-MC remained significant and follow-up analyses dividing the sample into normal and overweight/obese weight groups led to the same significant predictors as when changes in PANAS scores were not included as covariates. Despite no significant results in the model examining the interaction of BMI, AS-PC, and EEI Scale 1, these analyses were also examined including change in PANAS scales. Results indicate that all variables of interest including the 3-way interaction remained insignificant, and only the change in PANAS negative scale (β = .39; df = 7, 47; t = 2.80; p < .01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psycholosy, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Bridget A. Hearon, Angela C. Utschig, Samantha J. Moshier & Michael W. Otto

  2. Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA

    Jasper A. J. Smits

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  1. Bridget A. Hearon
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  2. Angela C. Utschig
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Hearon, B.A., Utschig, A.C., Smits, J.A.J. et al. The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity and Eating Expectancy in Maladaptive Eating Behavior. Cogn Ther Res 37, 923–933 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9491-2

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