Obese women with binge eating disorder define the term binge.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the criteria used by women with binge eating disorder (BED) to classify an eating episode a binge.


METHODS
Sixty women who met DSM-IV research criteria for BED were interviewed and asked to define binge eating in their own words. Two independent raters classified subjects' responses according to a structured classification scheme.


RESULTS
Loss of control over eating was the only criterion used to define binge eating by a majority (82%) of our subjects. Large amount of food and eating to relieve negative affect were reported less frequently, but appeared to be important criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this study are important to consider in an evaluation of the proposed DSM-IV research criteria for BED.
Telch
C F
CF
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5722, USA.
Pratt
E M
EM
Niego
S H
SH
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*