The perception of threat from emotions in predicting binge eating behaviours in people who are obese and seeking treatment for their weight

Objective The affect regulation theory suggests that people binge eat to regulate negative emotional states. In this study, we used a basic emotions perspective to consider the role of perceived threat of emotions, emotional suppression and reduced emotional expressiveness in predicting binge eating behaviours in people who are obese. Method Treatment‐seeking participants with obesity (N = 51, body mass index range from 30.8 to 60.2 kg m−2) completed measures of ‘perception of threat from emotion’ as well as ‘emotional expressiveness’ and binge eating. Results The results demonstrated that perceived threat of sadness predicted binge eating (β = .55, p < .05). Additionally, a mediation analysis revealed that reduced emotional expressiveness mediated the relationship between perceived threat of fear and binge eating (β = .25, 95%). Discussion These findings are contextualized within a theoretical perspective that suggests that individuals who binge eat are threatened by certain emotional states and they use binge eating to suppress certain, but not all, emotional states. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd