Characteristics of binge eating among women in the community seeking treatment for binge eating or weight loss.
This study examined characteristics of binge eating among overweight women in the community seeking treatment for binge eating or weight loss. Five hundred and ninety-two women completed a telephone interview in which binge eating was thoroughly assessed. A large percentage of the sample (84.4%) reported features of binge eating consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., DSM-IV) definition of a binge. A significantly higher rate of DSM-IV BED (33.6%) was found compared to previous studies. Eleven percent of the sample denied bingeing/purging (nonbinge eating disorder, NBED) and 55.4% of the sample reported other eating problems such as bingeing or purging. Women with binge eating disorder (BED) had a higher BMI, became overweight earlier, and reported more unhealthy weight control methods than NBED women. BED women also reported more current and past depression and suicidal ideation than NBED women. BED reported more maternal overweight than NBED, but BED and NBED participants did not differ in paternal overweight or parental eating disorders. Future studies should investigate the relationship between binge eating and suicidal ideation to better understand whether depression precedes or follows binge eating.
University of Chicago, IL, USA. l-johnsen@northwestern.edu
Lisa A P
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Johnsen
Amy
A
Gorin
Arthur A
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Stone
Daniel
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le Grange