An age-matched comparison of subjects with binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa.
The purpose of this study was to compare data from a group of obese subjects with binge eating disorder (BED) with data from a group of normal weight bulimia nervosa (BN) subjects. Subjects were compared using the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (EDQ), the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Personality Disorders Questionnaire for DSM-III-R (PDQ-R), the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scales, and the Beck Depression Inventory. A group of 35 age-matched subjects were selected retrospectively from treatment study subjects. The EDQ findings indicated that members of the BN group desired a lower body mass index, were more afraid of becoming fat, and more uncomfortable with their binge eating behavior than the BED group members. The BED subjects had a younger age of onset of binge eating behavior (14.3) than the BN subjects (19.8), even though both groups started dieting at a similar age (BED = 15.0, BN = 16.2). The EDI results showed BN subjects had more eating and weight-related pathology, with significantly higher scores on five of the eight subscales. On the PDQ-R more BN subjects endorsed Axis II impairment (BN = 69%, BED = 40%). While demonstrating greater eating pathology in the BN group, this study also found significant pathology and distress in BED subjects.
Raymond
N C
NC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
Mussell
M P
MP
Mitchell
J E
JE
de Zwaan
M
M
Crosby
R D
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies