Long-term outcome of pediatric eating pathology and predictors for the onset of loss of control over eating following weight-loss treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the stability of eating pathology over a 6-year period and predictors for the onset of loss of control (LC) over eating among overweight youngsters having undergone weight-loss treatment.


METHODS
Structured clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires were administered to a sample of 56 overweight youngsters (M age = 13 years) who were at the start of weight-loss treatment in 2000 and again 6 years later.


RESULTS
Mean levels of eating concerns, drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction decreased over the 6-year period. Dietary restraint, weight, and shape concerns were stable over time. Also, in 50% of those reporting objective binge eating at baseline, binge-eating episodes remained stable. Youngsters characterized by symptoms of depression in early adolescence were at a higher risk for developing new episodes of LC 6 years later. Neither concerns about eating, shape, and weight nor dietary restraint independently predicted LC.


CONCLUSIONS
Six years after following structured weight-loss treatment, some eating pathology variables still remain stable. Especially youngsters who already report LC at young ages appear to develop a more stable pattern of disordered eating behavior.
Goossens
Lien
L
Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. lien.goossens@ugent.be
Braet
Caroline
C
Verbeken
Sandra
S
Decaluwé
Veerle
V
Bosmans
Guy
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss