Impulsivity and reward sensitivity facets as predictors of weight change in children: Differences by binge‐eating disorder diagnostic status

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity and reward sensitivity are personality traits associated with obesity and binge‐eating disorder (BED), but little research has examined prospective associations between these traits and body mass index z‐score (BMI‐z) differentially for children with and without BED. OBJECTIVE: Using data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, the present analysis examined predictive associations between impulsivity and reward sensitivity facets with BMI‐z 1 year later in children with versus without BED. METHODS: Nine‐to‐ten‐year‐old children were recruited across the United States and completed self‐report questionnaires and clinical interviews at baseline, and height and weight were taken at baseline and 1‐year follow‐up. Multivariable models were run with baseline impulsivity and reward sensitivity facets predicting 1‐year BMI‐z in children with versus without BED. RESULTS: Reward sensitivity and impulsivity were unrelated to BMI‐z at follow‐up in children without BED. Greater negative urgency (i.e., proclivity to act rashly without forethought in response to negative emotions) and lower positive urgency (i.e., proclivity to act rashly without forethought due to positive emotions) predicted increased BMI‐z at 1‐year follow‐up in children with BED subsample. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the importance of developing theoretical models and interventions for obesity prevention in children with BED that address emotional impulsivity.