Binge eating disorder: a review of the literature after publication of DSM-IV.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a syndrome marked by recurrent episodes of binge eating, in the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors. Since the inclusion of BED in DSM-IV as a Diagnostic Category in Need of Further Research, a great deal of research has been conducted. This paper reviews research on BED since publication of DSM-IV in 1994. We conclude that questions about the definition of BED persist. Furthermore, recent studies which have strictly used the DSM-IV definition of BED have found that the full syndrome is found in less than 3% of obese adults seeking weight loss treatment and occurs in less than 1% of the general adult population. Binge eating is a common symptom associated with obesity, however. BED may be conceptualized as a psychiatric syndrome or it may be viewed as a behavioral symptom associated with obesity. We conclude that clarification of this conceptual issue is needed if research on BED is to progress.
Williamson
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Louisiana State University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Martin
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D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013577:Syndrome