Binge eating disorder: prevalence and psychopathological features in a clinical sample of obese people in Italy.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a recently conceptualized eating disturbance, and its clinical features and prevalence are still a matter of debate. This study uses interview methodology to estimate the prevalence of BED in Italy in a sample of 66 obese people presenting for treatment, and examines potential related features typical of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The lifetime and the 6-month prevalences of BED were 18.1 and 12.1%, respectively. Breaking the group down on the basis of the current as well as lifetime presence of BED, we found that the weight and shape primary to self-esteem, and the interpersonal distress related to body image, were associated with lifetime BED (P<0.05). All-or-none thinking about food and dieting was typical of BED patients as a whole, either current (P<0.01) or remitted (P<0.05). We discuss two important findings from our study: (a) the key role of self-esteem depending upon weight and shape in discriminating the eating-disordered obese from non-eating-disordered individuals; and (b) the need to explore the whole lifespan when screening for BED, so pointing to the state-trait issue.
Ramacciotti
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CE
Department of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Biotechnologies, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy. c.ramacciotti@psico.med.unipi.it
Coli
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E
Passaglia
C
C
Lacorte
M
M
Pea
E
E
Dell'Osso
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011599:Psychopathology; D012649:Self Concept