Abstract

SILVA, Jaime R. Overeating and restrained eaters: An affective neuroscience perspective. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2008, vol.136, n.10, pp. 1336-1342. ISSN 0034-9887.  doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872008001000016.

Some subjects may overeat when they experience anxiety even if they chronically restrict their food consumption. This contradictory behavior is a dysfunctional emotional regulation mechanism, which promotes the development of obesity and eating disorders. We review studies from a research program where alimentary restriction and overeating are conceived under the perspective of affective neuroscience. In this framework, restrained eaters (RE) are descríbed as subjects that are emotionally vulnerable and have dysfunctional emotional modulation strategies. We discuss empine evidence about the influence of motivational systems on alimentary behavior. Electrophysiological observations in RE reveal a self-referential processing of food stimulus as well as dysfunctional processing duríng the differentiation of emotional expressions. We stress the role of emotional education and the creation of psychometríc instruments designed for early detection of restrained eaters.

Keywords : Anxiety; Eating disorders; Neurosciences; Restrained eaters.