Family functioning is hypothesized to influence the development, maintenance, and treatment of obesity and eating disorders. However, there are limited data examining family functioning in relation to energy intake in the laboratory among youth at high-risk for eating disorders and excess weight gain. Therefore, we examined the relationship between perceived family functioning and energy intake during a laboratory test meal designed to model a binge episode. We performed hierarchical multiple regression analyses among 108 adolescent girls in an excess weight gain prevention trial. Participants were at high-risk for eating disorders and excess weight gain due to reports of loss of control eating (LOC) and high body mass index (BMI). Participants completed the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale III to assess family adaptability and cohesion. Following an overnight fast, girls consumed lunch from a laboratory test meal. Poorer family adaptability, but not cohesion, was associated with lower percentage of total energy intake from protein and greater percentage of total energy intake from carbohydrates. Neither adaptability nor cohesion were significantly associated with total intake. We conclude that among girls with LOC eating and high BMI, poor reported family adaptability is associated with greater consumption of obesity-promoting macronutrients during binge episodes. Directionality and temporality of this association between unhealthy consumption and family rigidity requires further study.
Keywords: BMI; adolescent; energy intake; family functioning; females; loss of control eating; obesity.