Biobehavioral self-regulatory processes underlying real-time binge eating symptoms and obesity risk

Abstract This application for a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award proposes training and research designed to provide the candidate with a foundation to establish a successful career as an independent investigator with expertise in affective, neurocognitive, and neurological mechanisms underlying eating psychopathology and obesity. The candidate seeks advanced training in three areas, each of which build upon her prior knowledge and experience with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and emotion dysregulation in eating disorders and obesity: (1) neurobiological mechanisms of eating behavior and obesity, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methodology; (2) neuroscience of self-control in relation to eating; and (3) design and analysis of multi-method ambulatory assessment and intervention approaches. Training will be guided by an interdisciplinary team (mentors and collaborators) and will involve formal (e.g., coursework, workshops) and informal (e.g., directed readings, mentoring meetings) activities across the funding period. The research plan harnesses these training experiences and proposes a multi- method study to examine how biobehavioral self-regulatory processes predict momentary binge eating and short-term weight change. Specifically, this study will examine the extent to which affect, attention bias to food cues, and impulsivity (measured via EMA, behavioral tasks, and fMRI) interact to predict real-time binge eating symptoms and subsequent weight change among a sample of 75 adults at risk for obesity (i.e., those with overweight body mass index who endorse regular binge eating). Participants will complete interviews, self- report measures, an fMRI protocol that includes response inhibition and delay discounting tasks, a two-week EMA protocol that includes ambulatory task-based measurement of attention bias, and a six-month follow-up assessment to assess weight change. Importantly, results of this research will identify biobehavioral mechanisms underlying binge eating and obesity risk, which will help to inform novel prevention and interventions. Taken together, the proposed study will advance the understanding of binge eating psychopathology in the context of obesity, and will set the stage for the candidate's future program of research. The training and mentorship provided by the award will further facilitate the candidate's success in becoming an independent investigator, with particular expertise in multi-method ambulatory strategies to identify and target mechanisms contributing to eating and weight disorders.