Parental Care and Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder (BED) has the highest prevalence among the EDs. Early attachment experiences are considered relevant cofactors for the development of BED and obesity later in life. A deficit attachment impairs the development of emotional control producing inability to cope with negative emotions in a framework of negative experiences. The inadequate coping mechanisms are strongly associated with BED and obesity. The risk for obesity is significantly increased by non-authoritative parenting styles in childhood. Physical and psychological abuses in childhood are strictly related to the development of obesity in adulthood. Parenting experience recalled by BED and non-BED obese participants is significantly different from that of healthy controls. The relationship between the obesity, distorted parenting in infancy, and psychopathology and personality traits of obese subjects can be considered as well established. The chapter goes on discussing specific researches linking parenting ...