New Insights Into How Weight Loss Can Influence Binge-Eating Through Biological and Behavioral Changes

A recent study conducted by Florida State University sheds light on the complex relationship between weight loss and binge-eating behaviors in women experiencing eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa. Published in the journal Psychological Medicine, the research emphasizes the biological and psychological mechanisms that may perpetuate binge-eating episodes following weight reduction.

Led by Pamela Keel, a renowned expert in psychology, the study focuses on the hormones leptin and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which are integral to regulating appetite and food intake. The researchers found that greater weight suppression—the difference between a person's highest past weight and their current weight—correlates with decreased leptin levels. Lower leptin then results in a diminished release of GLP-1 after meals, impairing the body's satiation signals.

This hormonal cascade can lead individuals to feel less satiated even after eating, which may drive larger food consumption and intensify binge episodes. Keel explained that when people lose weight, they encounter a 'psychobiological bind'; psychologically, there's a desire to maintain weight loss to meet cultural standards of thinness, but biologically, the body resists this change. This conflict can trap individuals in a cycle of bingeing and purging.

The study highlights the significance of considering an individual’s weight history in treatment approaches. It also opens doors for potential therapeutic applications of GLP-1 receptor agonists—originally approved for type 2 diabetes and weight loss—to help manage binge-eating behaviors. Co-author Lindsay Bodell noted that their findings are among the first to establish a clear biological link linking weight suppression, hormone levels, and binge severity.

Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of holistic assessment and suggests that medications targeting GLP-1 pathways might prove beneficial in treating eating disorders. The study involved nearly 400 women with diverse weights and various eating disorder diagnoses, aiming to uncover shared mechanisms underlying binge-eating habits.

This pioneering work points toward a promising direction for developing more effective treatments and emphasizes the need for further investigation into the role of metabolic hormones in eating behaviors.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-biological-behavioral-consequences-weight-loss.html