Meule, AdrianAdrianMeuleKüppers, CarolynCarolynKüppersHarms, LouisaLouisaHarmsFriederich, Hans-ChristophHans-ChristophFriederichSchmidt, UlrikeUlrikeSchmidtBlechert, JensJensBlechertBrockmeyer, TimoTimoBrockmeyerdel Pino-Gutierrez, Amparo2019-02-192019-02-192018https://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gro-2/57592Individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge-eating disorder (BED) experience more frequent and intense food cravings than individuals without binge eating. However, it is currently unclear whether they also show larger food cue-induced increases in craving (i.e., food cue reactivity) than those without binge eating, as suggested by conditioning theories of binge eating. A group of individuals with BN or BED (binge-eating group, n = 27) and a group of individuals with low trait food craving scores and without binge eating (control group, n = 19) reported their current food craving before and after a food cue exposure. Although food craving intensity significantly increased in both groups, this increase was significantly stronger in the binge-eating group than in the control group. This result is in line with conditioning models of binge eating that propose that food cues are conditioned stimuli that elicit a conditioned response (e.g., food craving) and that this association is stronger in individuals with binge eating. As food craving increased in individuals with low trait food craving scores as well-although to a lesser extent-previous null results might be explained by methodological considerations such as not screening control participants for trait food craving.enCC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0journal_article10.1371/journal.pone.020415130212574https://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gs-1/15702