Applicability of the dual pathway model in normal and overweight binge eaters

• We examine the applicability of the dual pathway hypothesis in binge eaters.
• Both pathways were supported in normal weight binge eaters.
• Only the negative affect pathway was supported in overweight binge eaters.
• The study calls into question the applicability of the model to all binge eaters.

Binge eating is a significant problem in both eating disordered and community populations alike. Extensive support exists for the dual pathway model of binge eating in both adolescent and adult clinical and nonclinical populations. However, the restrained eating pathway to binge eating in particular has failed to be confirmed in some studies. In particular, the dual pathway model may not be applicable to overweight binge eaters. The current study examined the applicability of the dual pathway model in a sample of healthy and overweight binge eaters. A total of 260 (115 healthy weight; 145 overweight or obese) adult binge eaters completed an online survey. Mediation analyses indicated support for both the dietary restraint and negative affect pathways in the healthy weight sample but only the latter pathway was supported in the overweight sample. Therefore, the full dual pathway model may only be applicable to healthy weight binge eaters.