Comparison of men and women with binge eating disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined gender differences in individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) on eating-related psychopathology and general psychological functioning.


METHODS
Subjects were age-matched men (n = 21) and women (n = 21) with BED who were administered the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) and SCID II, and who completed the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) and other questionnaires regarding psychological functioning.


RESULTS
Men and women did not differ on measures of eating disturbance, shape and weight concerns, interpersonal problems, or self-esteem, but more men than women met criteria for at least one Axis I diagnosis and had a lifetime diagnosis of substance dependence. Women were more likely to report eating in response to negative emotions, particularly anxiety, anger and frustration, and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from our study suggest that while men and women presenting for treatment for BED are very similar, males may have more Axis I psychiatric disturbance and less emotional eating than their female counterparts. These findings are discussed in terms of the role of gender in BED and possible treatment implications are explored.
Tanofsky
M B
MB
Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, Yale University, USA.
Wilfley
D E
DE
Spurrell
E B
EB
Welch
R
R
Brownell
K D
KD
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors