An experimental study of the effects of alcohol intake on subsequent binge eating among adults with
clinically significant binge eating
One potential maintenance factor of binge eating (i.e., the subjective experience of loss of control over eating)
noted in the literature is alcohol consumption. Alcohol use, even at moderate levels, may increase likelihood for
subsequent binge eating episodes due to its impact on stimulating appetite and increasing disinhibition. While
cross-sectional retrospective research supports that individuals who drink more generally also engage in more
frequent binge eating, no study to date has experimentally tested whether consuming a moderate amount of
alcohol increases risk for a subsequent binge eating episode. Current treatment recommendations regarding
alcohol use in individuals with binge eating do not give guidance on whether alcohol use should be modified
and for whom these recommendations should be provided. In particular, there is reason to hypothesize that
individuals with low self-regulation, more severe eating disorder symptoms, or less frequent/heavy alcohol
consumption are at a higher risk for binge eating after drinking a moderate amount of alcohol. Given the high
prevalence of alcohol use among individuals with binge eating, determining whether moderate alcohol
consumption increases risk for subsequent binge eating is crucial for providing tailored evidence-based
treatment recommendations regarding alcohol use. The current study will use a repeated measures
experimental design to test the acute effect of alcohol on binge eating features (i.e., urges to binge eat, loss of
control, calorie consumption) among adults with clinically significant binge eating (N = 60). Participants will
complete physiological measures of self-regulation (i.e., heart rate variability) and clinical interviews of eating
disorder symptoms and alcohol use patterns. In two counterbalanced study sessions, participants will receive a
moderate dose of alcohol (blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%) or a non-alcoholic placebo before being
provided an ad-libitum test meal. Ratings of urges to binge eat and loss of control, as well as calorie
consumption, will be measured following the test meal. The aims of the study are to test if: (1) alcohol intake
will be a stronger predictor of binge eating features than the placebo, and (2) individuals with low self-
regulation (i.e., low heart rate variability) will endorse more binge eating features than those with high self-
regulation. Secondary aims are to test the moderating effects of eating disorder symptoms and alcohol use
patterns. This study will contribute significantly to the eating disorder field’s knowledge about the role of alcohol
in the maintenance of binge eating. Additionally, completion of the current project will facilitate the applicant’s
training in (1) experimental study designs in alcohol research, (2) lab-based measures of binge eating, (3) data
collection and analysis of heart rate variability data, and (4) professional development. As such, the current
project is an important and necessary step for the applicant to achieve their professional goals of an
independent academic research career studying the effect of alcohol and substances on eating disorder
maintenance and treatment.
