Low Maternal Care, Low Protection and Body Image Dissatisfaction Predict the Risk of Binge Eating Disorder During the Transitional-Age Youth

Introduction: Binge eating disorder (BED) often begins in late adolescence or early adulthood i.e. the transitional age, a major life transition period between the ages of 18 and 25, when the emerging youth struggles with internal and interpersonal challenges, such as autonomy and dependence on parents. The aim of this study was to explore potential predictors of the risk of binge eating disorder that are relevant during the transition phase, such as dissatisfaction with body shape, alexithymia, depression, attachment style in close relationships, and parental bonding. Materials and methods: A total of 287 participants aged between 18 and 25 years completed a sociodemographic data sheet and self-report questionnaire: Binge Eating Scale (BES), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and Parental Bonding Instruments (PBI). Results: Compared to controls, participants with BED showed higher levels of Body Mass Index (BMI), alexithymia body dissatisfaction, insecure attachment style, and recall of lower paternal and maternal care. A hierarchical binary logistic regression was carried out to examine the effects of sociodemographic and psychological variables on increasing risk of binge eating disorder. The final model explained the 56.1% (Nagelkerke R2) of variance and correctly classified 92.1% of the cases. Body dissatisfaction (OR = 1.036, 95%CI = 1.019-1.054, p < .001), BMI (OR =1.155, 95%CI = 1.013-1.317, p = .031), and two dimensions of maternal bonding (i.e., maternal care: OR = 0.911, 95%CI = 0.834-0.995, p = .039, and maternal overprotection: OR = 0.895 , 95%CI = 0.806-0.994, p = ,039) emerged as significant predictors of BED. Discussion: This is the first study to explore risk factors of BED during the transition phase. A higher BMI, dissatisfaction with body image, and a neglectful mother in terms of care and protection are risk factors specific to this critical stage. Treatment of binge eating disorders may benefit from a combination of preventive interventions targeting parenting style, psychoeducation for nutritional skills, and integrated therapeutic strategies for eating disorder symptoms and attachment functioning.