Loss of control eating and interpersonal relationships in young people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Loss of control eating and interpersonal relationships in young people aged 16-25
IRAS ID
331572
Contact name
Kate Costello
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 23 days
Research summary
The aim of the research is to better understand how interpersonal relationships effect loss of control (LOC) eating in young people aged 16-25. LOC eating is the experience of feeling unable to control what or how much you eat, regardless of how much food is eaten. Almost one third of young people in the general population are found to experience it. LOC eating can predict future difficulties with depression, drug use, low self-esteem, suicide risk, as well as obesity and diabetes.
LOC eating can start as early as 8 years old and can lead to a future diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). This is an eating disorder diagnosis that involves eating a significantly large amount of food in one sitting that happens at least once per week, the person experiences loss of control, and it causes them distress. BED doesn’t usually develop until someone is at least 16 years old but is often later.
The study will recruit up to 30 young people between the ages of 16 and 25, from both NHS and social media, who have experienced LOC eating at least once in the past month. Participants will be interviewed about their experiences of their interpersonal relationships and LOC eating. Interview questions will aim to gather information around areas such as their experiences of managing interpersonal relationships and factors that trigger their LOC eating.
Reviews of the research that has already been conducted has asked for more studies to be carried out on this topic so we can better understand why LOC eating develops. There is some research in this area already but none that involve interviewing people about their experience of LOC eating and their relationships. This study aims to gain more understanding of why LOC eating develops so effective treatments and prevention programmes can be created.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
24/NS/0026
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion