Binge eating and weight loss in a self-help behavior modification program.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the occurrence of binge eating and its impact on weight loss outcomes among obese participants in the Trevose Behavior Modification Program, a lay-administered, lay-directed self-help weight loss program offering continuing care.


METHODS
Participants completed questionnaires, and weight loss data were recorded prospectively.


RESULTS
Although objective bulimic episodes were reported by 41% of the sample, objective bulimic episodes were not associated with worse weight loss outcomes. Mean weight loss after 12 months was 18.2 kg (18.8% of initial body weight) for the treatment completers and 10.3 kg (10.5% of initial body weight) for the full sample (using intent-to-treat analyses, with baseline scores carried forward).


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial long-term weight loss, resulting from a continuing care treatment program, occurred in individuals both with and without frequent binge eating.
Delinsky
Sherrie Selwyn
SS
McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, MA, USA. sdelinsky@partners.org
Latner
Janet D
JD
Wilson
G Terence
GT
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*