Comparison of psychological characteristics of binging and nonbinging obese, adult, female outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared levels of depression, anxiety and self-esteem in binging and nonbinging obese, adult females in a hospital weight-loss program.


METHODS
Participants (n=43; mean age=43.5 yrs) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) upon entering the program (Week 0). A subgroup (n=15) completed the same inventories on Week 4 and Week 8.


RESULTS
Binge eaters had significantly higher levels of depression (p<0.002) and lower levels of self-esteem (p<0.001) on Week 0. For the subgroup that remained in the program through Week 8, significantly higher depression levels (p<0.01) and anxiety levels (p<0.05) persisted for the binge eaters.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that obese binge eaters have more psychological distress than nonbingers, and that these differences tend to persist even during weight loss.
Jirik-Babb
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P
Department of Psychology, Iona College, New Rochelle, New York 10801, USA. pjirik-babb@iona.edu
Geliebter
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010045:Outpatients; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012649:Self Concept