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Binge Eating Risk During Midlife and the Menopausal Transition: Sensitivity to Ovarian Hormones as Potential Mechanisms of Risk

  • EATING DISORDERS (J STEINGLASS, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent research suggests that binge eating may be more prevalent among women in midlife than previously believed. The menopausal transition, an important developmental stage during midlife, is characterized by substantial fluctuations and eventual decreases in ovarian hormones that may contribute to increased risk. This narrative review summarizes findings from studies of binge eating during midlife and menopause and discusses the potential role of ovarian hormones in binge eating risk.

Recent Findings

Studies are few in number and findings are mixed, with only some studies showing increased binge eating during midlife and the menopausal transition. Sensitivity to ovarian hormones, potentially through gene x hormone interactions, may influence who experiences increased binge eating risk and could help explain mixed findings in the field.

Summary

Future studies of hormone sensitivity and gene x hormone interactions are needed to further elucidate midlife and menopausal risk for binge eating in women.

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Notes

  1. When we refer to “women” and “female(s),” we are describing sex assigned at birth. No studies of midlife or the menopausal transition have examined gender or gender identity.

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Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH128196) awarded to KMC and KLK, a Global Foundation for Eating Disorders grant awarded to KMC and KLK, and a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded to CA. The content of the manuscript is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Science Foundation, or the Global Foundation for Eating Disorders.

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  1. Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, MI, 48824-1116, East Lansing, USA

    Carolina Anaya, Kristen M. Culbert & Kelly L. Klump

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  1. Carolina Anaya
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Correspondence to Kelly L. Klump.

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Anaya, C., Culbert, K.M. & Klump, K.L. Binge Eating Risk During Midlife and the Menopausal Transition: Sensitivity to Ovarian Hormones as Potential Mechanisms of Risk. Curr Psychiatry Rep 25, 45–52 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01405-5

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