A FUNCTIONAL-ANALYSIS OF BINGE-EATING

Previous attempts at formulating binge-eating (usually as part of the syndrome of bulimia nervosa) are reviewed and common themes are extrac ted from the literature. Two main themes in formulations of bingeing a re highlighted - that bingeing may result from eating behavior or from emotional difficulties. A functional analysis paradigm is utilized to integrate this information in a clinically useful manner In the resul tant model, bingeing ir seen as resulting from a combination of genera l predisposing factors and more immediate, specific triggers. Of centr al importance in the initiation of bingeing are those factors which le ad to either intolerable emotional states or appetitive cues. Bingeing behavior is thought to be maintained by a combination of its immediat e consequences (e.g., reducing negative affect and food craving) and l onger-term consequences (which are hypothesised to exacerbate some of the initial antecedents). Clinical implications and recommendations fo r research are discussed.