Eating regulation and bulimic symptoms: The differential correlates of health-focused and appearance-focused eating regulation

Based on Self-Determination Theory, this study aimed to gain further insight in the pathway from eating regulation to bulimic symptoms by (a) examining diet-specific need frustration as an intervening mechanism, (b) investigating the associations between different types of goals underlying eating regulation and diet-specific need frustration and bulimic symptoms, and (c) considering body dissatisfaction as an antecedent of eating regulation and eating regulation goals. In a sample of 244 female adolescents, SEM analyses showed that (a) the association between eating regulation and bulimic symptoms can be accounted for by need frustration, (b) appearance-focused and health-focused eating regulation are associated differentially with need frustration and bulimic symptoms, and (c) body dissatisfaction is related positively to eating regulation and appearance-focused eating regulation. These findings suggest that the goals underlying one's eating regulation and the concept of need frustration help to understand when and why eating regulation is associated with bulimic symptoms.

► We examine associations between appearance- and health-focused eating regulation, need frustration and bulimic symptoms.
► Appearance-focused eating regulation is associated with more need frustration and bulimic symptoms.
► Health-focused eating regulation is not or negatively associated with need frustration and bulimic symptoms.
► Body dissatisfaction is associated with appearance-focused eating, not with health-focused eating.
► Considering the motivational basis of eating regulation helps clarify the link between eating regulation and bulimic symptoms.