This study presents a novel application of the cognitive processing model of alcohol craving (CPMA) from the addictions field to the role of food craving in the well-established restrained eating-overeating relationship associated with binge eating disorder (BED). A community sample (N = 1058, ages 18-66) completed an online survey assessing four core domains: restrained eating, trait food craving, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. In accordance with the CPMA, food craving emerged as a significant indirect effect of the association between restrained eating and both uncontrolled and emotional eating. Gender did not significantly moderate any direct or indirect associations, suggesting that gender may not change the pattern of association between restrained eating and different facets of overeating. Results suggest that treatments targeting binge eating behaviors may benefit from 1) explicitly addressing the activation of food craving rather than concentrating on reducing restrained eating and 2) recognizing that food craving may be an important gender-neutral target with the potential to reduce binge and overeating behaviors. Future research should extend these preliminary findings by examining the application of the CPMA to eating behaviors while jointly investigating antecedents and contextual factors.

Recent findings suggest that men engage in appearance-based conversations, but little is known about the consequences of these discussions and whether certain populations may be at a greater risk of negative outcomes. Males who self-identify as athletes may be particularly likely to engage in body-focused conversations. The current study explored associations between body talk, athletic identity, and eating disorder symptomology in two samples of undergraduate men. Participants reported the degree to which they identified as an athlete, the frequency with which they engaged in muscle-and fat-focused appearance conversations, and eating disorder symptoms. Controlling for age and body mass index, more frequent body talk was associated with an increased number of eating disorder symptoms. Athletic identity did not emerge as a moderator. Follow-up analyses suggested that "fat talk" was more strongly associated with eating disorder symptoms than "muscle talk." The current findings suggest that engaging in appearance-focused conversations related to body fat, but not muscularity, may be associated with eating disorder symptoms in men, regardless of athletic identity.

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