Gender differences in patients with binge eating disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined gender differences in patients with binge eating disorder (BED).


METHODS
Participants were 182 adults (35 male, 147 female) who were consecutively evaluated for outpatient clinical trials and met criteria for BED as outlined in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. They were administered a battery of measures to examine developmental, eating and weight-related disturbances, and psychological features associated with BED.


RESULTS
Men and women did not differ significantly on several developmental variables (age at first overweight, age at first diet, age at onset of regular binge eating, or number of weight cycles). Men had significantly higher current body mass index (BMI), highest adult BMI, and were significantly more likely to be classified as obese. Men and women did not differ significantly on measures of current eating disorder features (binge eating, eating concerns, weight or shape concerns) but women reported significantly greater body image dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. Men and women did not differ significantly on current depression or self-esteem but men reported a greater frequency of past drug abuse problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Although men and women who present for treatment for BED show many similarities in current eating disorder features, we observed a number of gender differences on important developmental and physical variables as well as associated psychological features.
Barry
Declan T
DT
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Grilo
Carlos M
CM
Masheb
Robin M
RM
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept