Children's binge eating and development of metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background Binge eating predisposes children to excessive weight gain. However, it is unknown if pediatric binge eating predicts other obesity-associated adverse health outcomes. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between binge eating and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. Method Children 5–12 y at high risk for adult obesity, either because they were overweight/obese when first examined or because their parents were overweight/obese, were recruited from Washington, DC and its suburbs. Children completed a questionnaire assessment of binge eating at baseline and underwent measurements of MetS components at baseline and at a follow-up visit approximately 5 years later. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a subset. Results One hundred eighty children were studied between July, 1996 and August, 2010. Baseline self-reported binge eating presence was associated with a 5.33 greater odds of having MetS at follow-up (95% CI: 1.47, 19.27, p = 0.01). The association between binge eating and BMI only partially explained changes in MetS components: baseline binge eating predicted higher follow-up triglycerides, even after accounting for baseline triglycerides, baseline BMI, BMI change, sex, race, baseline age, and time in study (p = 0.05). Also, adjusting for baseline VAT and demographics, baseline binge eating predicted greater follow-up L2-3 VAT (p = 0.01). Discussion Children’s reports of binge eating predicted development of MetS, worsening triglycerides, and increased VAT. The excessive weight gain associated with children’s binge eating partly explained its adverse metabolic health outcomes. Reported binge eating may represent an early behavioral marker upon which to focus interventions for obesity and MetS.

Metabolic profile and psychological variables after bariatric surgery: association with weight outcomes

“…Unhealthy food choices, including the ingestion of high trans-fat foods, are also known to be associated with serum levels of TG [36][37][38][39]. Binge eating disorder has been associated with the onset of adverse metabolic profile in other samples [40]. Although disordered eating behaviors such as binge eating episodes, eating rapidly or irregular meal patterns have been associated with increased fasting glucose levels, decreased glucose tolerance and elevated serum lipids [41][42][43], this relation has not been established for the postbariatric population thus far.…”

Pediatric Loss of Control Eating and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Concentrations

“…26 Moreover, those with LOC eating are five times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome at 5-year follow-up, with changes in BMI only partially explaining this association. 27 However, it is unknown if youth with LOC eating have elevated inflammatory factors, which may contribute to the worsening metabolic components and increased cardiometabolic risk observed.…”

Decreased eating frequency linked to increased visceral adipose tissue, body fat, and BMI in Hispanic college freshmen

“…Previous studies have found infrequent eating to be associated with higher circulating triglycerides [13,14]. Infrequent eaters also consistently show an increased caloric intake per EO, and binge eating behaviors have been previously linked to increased triglycerides [14,47]. Infrequent eaters have also shown increased visceral adipose tissue [14] and the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue has been positively associated with fasting insulin and triglycerides [14,59].…”

“…However, the vast majority of the eating frequency research, including this study shows a positive relationship between eating frequency and energy intake, which very well could be an artifact of under-reporting which is discussed below. It is also plausible that reduced eating frequency may result in eating behaviors that resemble binge eating which has been related to increases in metabolic disease parameters and adiposity measures [47]. Thus, much more research is needed to examine the exact mechanisms of how eating patterns impact satiety, hunger, and ad libitum dietary intake in free-living populations.…”