Genome-wide association study of positive and negative affect reveals shared genetic architecture and a potential causal relationship with cognition.

Binge eating refers to recurrent episodes of consuming unusually large amounts of food within a short period of time, accompanied by a sense of loss of control overeating. These episodes are typically associated with emotional distress, such as guilt or shame, and occur in the absence of compensatory behaviours, which distinguishes them from bulimia nervosa []. Binge eating is a central diagnostic feature of both binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa, two of the most prevalent eating disorders worldwide. Epidemiological studies estimate that binge-eating disorder affects approximately 0.6–1.8% of women and 0.3–0.7% of men in the general population []. The relevance of binge eating extends beyond clinical contexts, as it is increasingly common in community populations and has risen steadily over decades [, ]. International research reports particularly high prevalence rates among adolescents and young adults, with women showing higher rates than men [, ]. For example, Croll et al. [] found that approximately 26% of young women and 13% of young men reported at least one binge eating episode in the previous year. Epidemiological studies also indicate two peaks in the onset of binge eating: one around age 14 and another between ages 19 and 24 [, ]. Given its high prevalence and adverse consequences, there is a pressing need to understand the psychological and behavioural mechanisms underlying binge eating in the general population, where early intervention may prevent progression to more severe eating disorders. In this regard, dysfunctional eating styles, such as emotional, external, and restrictive eating, have been identified as key factors associated with binge eating [, ]. These styles often involve eating in response to emotional states, external cues, or cognitive control rather than internal physiological signals, and have been linked to increased susceptibility to binge eating []. Emotional eating, in particular, has been associated with binge eating as a strategy to alleviate negative emotions []. Similarly, restrictive eating, characterized by dietary restraint and all-or-nothing thinking, can trigger binge episodes []. Moreover, sensitivity to the olfactory or visual properties of food (external eating), as well as dietary variety and food availability, can also promote binge eating [, ].