The cognitive behavioural model for eating disorders: a direct evaluation in children and adolescents with obesity

OBJECTIVE: The cognitive behavioural model of bulimia nervosa Fairburn, C.G., Cooper, Z., & Cooper, P.J. (1986). The clinical features and maintenance of bulimia nervosa. In K.D. Brownell, and J.P. Foreyt (Eds.), Handbook of eating disorders: physiology, psychology and treatment of obesity, anorexia and bulimia (pp. 389-404). New York: Basic Books.] provides the theoretical framework for cognitive behaviour therapy of Bulimia Nervosa. For a long time it was assumed that the model can also be used to understand the mechanism of binge eating among obese individuals. The present study aimed to test whether the specific hypotheses derived from the cognitive behavioural theory of bulimia nervosa are also valid for children and adolescents with obesity. METHOD: The prediction of the model was tested using structural equation modeling. Data were collected from 196 children and adolescents. RESULTS: In line with the model, the results suggest that a lower self-esteem predicts concerns about eating, weight and shape, which in turn predict dietary restraint, which then further is predictive of binge eating. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the mechanisms specified in the model of bulimia nervosa is also operational among obese youngsters.