Advancing understanding of perinatal binge eating attitudes and behaviors: A longitudinal investigation of the role of ovarian hormone and executive function changes across pregnancy and postpartum

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Approximately 40% of community samples report binge eating attitudes/behaviors (BE) during pregnancy – far exceeding pre-pregnancy and postpartum estimates and nearly triple the rate observed among non-perinatal community samples. Importantly, BE, which comprise symptoms of binge eating disorder that may not constitute a full threshold diagnosis, are associated with adverse short- and long-term mental and physical health outcomes that increase cardiovascular disease risk for birthing individuals and their offspring. Despite their high prevalence and link to deleterious intergenerational health consequences, efforts to treat and prevent perinatal BE are lacking due to limited knowledge of underlying target mechanisms. The goal of the applicant’s proposed research is to advance understanding of whether and how changes in ovarian hormones and executive functioning (EF), two factors implicated in the development and maintenance of BE among non- perinatal individuals, contribute to changes in BE across the perinatal period. Based on findings from research with non-perinatal samples, perinatal-related increases in progesterone and decreases in EF are hypothesized to predict increases in perinatal BE, whereas perinatal-related increases in estradiol are hypothesized to predict decreases in perinatal BE. To test these hypotheses, and potentially identify malleable risk and protective factors crucial to intervention development, the proposed research will integrate two longitudinal studies, harnessing existing data from >300 participants spanning five timepoints across the perinatal period, and employ structural equation models (SEM) that can examine complex patterns of change in multiple variables over time and how these changes influence each other. The Specific Aims of the proposed research are to: (1) investigate (a) progesterone and (b) estradiol as predictors of perinatal BE; (2) investigate EF as a predictor of perinatal BE; and (3) explore the relative contribution of ovarian hormones and EF to perinatal BE. To accomplish these aims, the applicant will complete a comprehensive, personalized training plan comprised of journal article readings, seminars/workshops, scientific conferences, coursework, clinical work, and tailored mentoring from a committed team of researchers with expertise directly relevant to the proposed research. The Training Goals, which build upon the applicant’s prior research experiences and training, will focus on expanding knowledge and/or skills in: (1) perinatal disordered eating and mental health; (2) ovarian hormones and disordered eating; (3) the multidimensionality of EF and scoring/analysis of data from behavioral task measures of EF; and (4) longitudinal SEM procedures. Complemented by the dedicated research and training environment at the University of Pittsburgh, this F31 fellowship will accelerate the applicant’s trajectory toward becoming an independent researcher focused on identifying and modifying target mechanisms related to perinatal BE, the most prevalent form of disordered eating among perinatal individuals, to promote the mental and physical health of this vulnerable population.