Risk factors for binge-eating disorders: an exploratory study.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined a broad range of childhood risk factors for binge-eating disorders (bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder, BN/BED), utilizing data that had been collected prospectively in the 10-year National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.


METHODS
Forty-five women with a history of BED/BN (with onset age > 14 and <20 years) and 1,515 women who did not have a history of an eating disorder were included.


RESULTS
Signal detection analysis indicated a single pathway that identified approximately 13% of the BED/BN cases. The pathway was based on an elevated level of perceived stress prior to the age of 14.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that eating disorders may have multiple and complex etiologies. This is the first study to suggest that elevated levels of perceived stress may precede the onset of binge-eating disorders. Whether this is a causal association remains a question.
Striegel-Moore
Ruth H
RH
Department of Psychology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06459, USA. rstriegel@wesleyan.edu
Dohm
Faith-Anne
FA
Kraemer
Helena C
HC
Schreiber
George B
GB
Taylor
C Barr
CB
Daniels
Stephen R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires