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.
Louisiana State University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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Williamson
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Martin
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