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PubMed2000

Criterion validity of the multiaxial assessment of eating disorders symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to establish the criterion validity of the Multiaxial Assessment of Eating Disorders Symptoms (MAEDS). The MAEDS is a brief, comprehensive, self-report measure for the evaluation of eating disorders treatment outcome. It assesses six symptoms associated with eating disorders with subscales for binge eating, purgative behavior, avoidance of forbidden foods, restrictive eating, fear of fatness, and depression. METHOD: To establish criterion validity, we compared the subscale scores of the MAEDS across four eating disorder diagnoses, specified by subtype (bulimia nervosa, purging type; anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type; anorexia nervosa, restricting type; and binge eating disorder). Participants who did not meet the full diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, but who did meet criteria for a partial syndrome eating disorder, were grouped with the full eating disorder diagnostic subtypes. RESULTS: The criterion validity of the MAEDS was supported by the pattern of subscale scores for the different eating disorder diagnostic groups. Also, with few exceptions, persons diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, in comparison to subthreshold cases of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, had equivalent scores on the subscales of the MAEDS. DISCUSSION: These findings support the criterion validity of the MAEDS and add to a growing literature that questions differences in severity of eating disorder symptoms in full syndrome versus partial syndrome cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Eating behaviour and adherence to diet in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To assess restrained, emotional and external eating behaviour in patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes compared with the general population, and to assess the relationship of eating behaviour to changes in fat and energy. METHODS: We assessed emotional, external, and restrained eating behaviour and measured fat and energy intake in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Data from a comparable sample of the general population served as reference figures. We calculated correlation coefficients of the three different types of eating behaviour at diagnosis between: (i) energy and fat intake at diagnosis and (ii) changes in energy and fat intake between diagnosis and both 8 weeks and 4 years later. In addition, we used a stepwise multiple regression model with energy and fat intake or changes in energy and fat intake as dependent variables. RESULTS: The distribution of the three types of eating behaviour was similar in patients with Type 2 diabetes and the general population. Emotional and external eating was associated with increased intake of energy and fat. Conversely, restrained eating showed an inverse correlation with energy and fat intake. External eating, but not emotional eating, showed a statistically significant relation with a decrease in energy intake in women. We found no statistically significant correlations between eating behaviour (measured at diagnosis) and changes in energy and fat intake between diagnosis and 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have similar eating behaviour compared with the general population. At diagnosis, external eating behaviour and emotional eating behaviour are associated with high-energy intake and restrained eating behaviour with low-energy intake. Women with high scores for emotional eating behaviour seem to be less able to make initial dietary changes after being diagnosed and having received dietary advice.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[The dialectic of the obsessionality and the dissociativity: toward a psychopathology of binge-eating].

Binge-eating is one of the most paradoxical phenomena in the symptomatology of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The patients seem to be struggling to control their eating behaviors as strictly as possible, and at the same time, they repeat chaotic patterns of binge-eating. The author investigated the descriptive psychopathology of binge-eating in this paper. The author recognized the impulsive nature of binge-eating at first, and compared it with the clinical features of so-called impulse control disorders, such as kleptomania, trichotillomania, and so on. According to the literature review, most impulse control disorders tended to show high coincidence with eating disorders. The mode of the coincidence and the alternation of the symptoms suggested the common psychopathologies between eating disorders and impulse control disorders. The author then inquired into their common psychopathologies, and revealed characteristic features which could be formulated as dissociative. The study of the concept of dissociation proved that this formulation was not only valid, but also useful in understanding eating disorders clinically and theoretically. Binge-eating could be regarded as a manifestation of dissociative pathology. The author inquired further into the psychopathologies of eating disorders and impulse control disorders, and revealed obsessional features in these disorders. Though some investigators regarded the symptoms of eating disorders as compulsive behaviors and considered that eating disorders were variants of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the author pointed out some descriptive differences between them. Nevertheless, the obsessionality formed an important basis of the psychopathology of binge-eating. Finally, the author discussed the relationship between the obsessionality and the dissociativity in eating disorders. These two features were reciprocal factors in mental activity, and were forming dialectical dynamism in general psychological functioning. In anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the opposition between two factors was morbidly rigid and their sublation could not occur. Though the obsessional and the dissociative features of binge-eating were opposite phenomena, it was important to comprehend them as an incorporated psychopathology. The conceptualization of the dialectic of the obsessionality and the dissociativity could also be useful in understanding other psychopathological phenomena such as addiction and splitting.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

The eating attitudes test: psychometric features and clinical correlates.

Psychometric and clinical correlates of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) are described for a large sample of female anorexia nervosa (N = 160) and female comparison (N = 140) subjects. An abbreviated 26-item version of the EAT (EAT-26) is proposed, based on a factor analysis of the original scale (EAT-40). The EAT-26 is highly correlated with the EAT-40 (r = 0.98) and the three factors form subscales which are meaningfully related to bulimia, weight, body-image variables and psychological symptoms. Whereas there are no differences between bulimic and restricter anorexia nervosa patients on the total EAT-26 and EAT-40 scores, these groups do indicate significant differences on EAT-26 factors. Norms for the anorexia nervosa and female comparison subjects are presented for the EAT-26, EAT-40 and the EAT-26 factors. It is concluded that the EAT-26 is a reliable, valid and economical instrument which may be useful as an objective measure of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Chocolate eating in healthy men during experimentally induced sadness and joy.

The study compared influences of qualitatively different emotions on eating. Motivation to eat, affective responses to chocolate and chewing of chocolate were investigated in healthy normal weight males during experimentally induced emotions. Subjects abstained from eating 2 h (n = 24) or 8 h (n = 24) before testing. They received pieces of chocolate after viewing film clips presented to induce anger, fear, sadness and joy. Motivation to eat and most affective responses to eating chocolate were higher after 8 h than after 2 h of deprivation. Sadness and joy affected motivation to eat in opposite directions: joy increased and sadness decreased appetite (p < 0.001). In joy, a higher tendency to eat more chocolate was reported (p < 0.001), and chocolate tasted more pleasant (p < 0.001) and was experienced as more "stimulating" than in sadness (p < 0.01). No effects of deprivation could be found for chewing time and number of chews. Results indicate that the quality of emotions can affect motivation to eat and affective responses to eating chocolate. Our findings on decreased eating responses to sadness in healthy males and the contradictory increased eating responses to sadness reported by others supports two types of emotion-induced changes of eating: emotion-congruent modulation of eating and eating to regulate emotions.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Vision and eating behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Eating behavior is influenced by internal and external factors. Vision is one part of the complex pattern of factors influencing the amount of food consumed during a meal. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of vision on the microstructure of eating behavior and the subjective motivation to eat. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Nine blind subjects and nine matched seeing control subjects consumed a standardized meal registered by VIKTOR, an eating monitor, measuring the microstructure of the eating behavior. The eating behavior of the control subjects was registered twice, with and without blindfold. RESULTS: The eating behavior of the blind subjects did not differ from that of seeing control subjects. However, the eating behavior of seeing subjects eating with blindfold demonstrated a clear impact of vision on eating behavior. When blindfolded, subjects ate 22% less food (p < 0.05), had shorter meal durations (p < 0.05), and had less decelerated eating curves (p < 0.05). Despite a smaller amount of food consumed when blindfolded, the reported feeling of fullness was identical to that reported after the larger meal consumed without blindfold. DISCUSSION: The importance of vision in regulating our eating behavior is further stressed in this study. Eating with a blindfold decreased the intake of food, without making subjects feel less full. Eating blindfolded, therefore, may force subjects to rely more on internal signals. These results might be used as an aid in the development of new treatment strategies for obese subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and eating disorders are relatively common among young women in North America. Their coexistence could lead to poor metabolic control and an increased risk of the microvascular complications of IDDM. METHODS: We studied 91 young women with IDDM at base line and four to five years later to determine the prevalence and persistence of disordered eating behavior (on the basis of self-reported eating and weight-loss practices, including the intentional omission or underdosing of insulin to control weight) and the association of such eating disorders with metabolic control, diabetic retinopathy, and urinary albumin excretion. At base line, the mean age of the young women was 15+/-2 years and the duration of diabetes was 7+/-4 years. RESULTS: At base line, 26 of 91 young women (29 percent) had highly or moderately disordered eating behavior, which persisted in 16 (18 percent) and improved in 10 (11 percent). Of the 65 women with normal eating behavior at base line (71 percent), 14 (15 percent) had disordered eating at follow-up. Omission or underdosing of insulin lose weight was reported by 12 of 88 young women (14 percent) at base line and 30 (34 percent) at follow-up (P=0.003). At base line, the mean (+/-SD) hemoglobin A(1c) value was higher in the group with highly disordered eating behavior (11.1+/-1.2 percent) than in the groups whose eating behavior was moderately disordered (8.9+/-1.7 percent) or nondisordered (8.7+/-1.6 percent, P<0.001). Disordered eating at base line was associated with retinopathy four years later (P=0.004), when 86 percent of the young women with highly disordered eating behavior, 43 percent of those with moderately disordered eating behavior, and 24 percent of those with nondisordered eating behavior had retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating behavior is common and persistent in young women with IDDM and is associated with impaired metabolic control and a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Onset of adolescent eating disorders: population based cohort study over 3 years.

OBJECTIVE: To study the predictors of new eating disorders in an adolescent cohort. DESIGN: Cohort study over 3 years with six waves. SUBJECTS: Students, initially aged 14-15 years, from 44 secondary schools in the state of Victoria, Australia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight (kg), height (cm), dieting (adolescent dieting scale), psychiatric morbidity (revised clinical interview schedule), and eating disorder (branched eating disorders test). Eating disorder (partial syndrome) was defined when a subject met two criteria for either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). RESULTS: At the start of the study, 3.3% (29/888) of female subjects and 0.3% (2/811) of male subjects had partial syndromes of eating disorders. The rate of development of new eating disorder per 1000 person years of observation was 21.8 in female subjects and 6.0 in male subjects. Female subjects who dieted at a severe level were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who did not diet, and female subjects who dieted at a moderate level were five times more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who did not diet. Psychiatric morbidity predicted the onset of eating disorder independently of dieting status so that those subjects in the highest morbidity category had an almost sevenfold increased risk of developing an eating disorder. After adjustment for earlier dieting and psychiatric morbidity, body mass index, extent of exercise, and sex were not predictive of new eating disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Dieting is the most important predictor of new eating disorders. Differences in the incidence of eating disorders between sexes were largely accounted for by the high rates of earlier dieting and psychiatric morbidity in the female subjects. In adolescents, controlling weight by exercise rather than diet restriction seems to carry less risk of development of eating disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Femininity, masculinity, androgyny and eating behaviours].

BACKGROUND: There are marked gender differences in the attitudes towards eating behaviors. AIM: To compare gender identity traits among females with eating disorders and subjects of both sexes without eating disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An structured clinical interview based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) were administered to 119 female patients that fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa and/or eating disorders not otherwise specified (FCT group), 89 males (MST group) and 63 females (FST group) without eating disorders. RESULTS: The FCT group ranked significantly higher than the FST group on the EAT-40 and EDI and all its items (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between FST and MST groups. The FST group ranked significantly higher than the MST group on the Drive for thinness (p = 0.003) and Body dissatisfaction (p = 0.009). The MST group scored significantly higher than the FST group on Perfectionism (p = 0.020) and Interpersonal distrust (p = 0.008). The FCT group was significantly identified with Feminine and Masculine categories and the FST group with Androgynous and Undifferentiated categories on the BSRI (p = 0.001). Comparatively, the MST group was significantly identified with Masculine category and the FST group with Feminine category on the IBRS (p = < 0.001). All groups rejected and approved feminine, masculine and neutral qualities. The higher correlations were observed among feminine quality on the BSRI with the total score on the EAT-40 (r = 0.46). Drive for thinness (r = 0.51) and Body dissatisfaction (r = 0.41). DISCUSSION: Femininity emerged as the main trait of gender identity in patients with eating disorders, in contrast to androgyny showed by male and female subjects without eating disorders. Females without eating disorders were more motivated to achieve thinness and displayed more body dissatisfaction than males.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Clinical characteristics and gender identity among eating disordered patients subtypes].

BACKGROUND: Gender identity is a relevant issue in the approach to eating disorders. AIM: To compare psychological and behavioural characteristics and traits of gender identity among women with eating disorders and its subtypes and non eating disordered female subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An structured clinical interview based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, the EAT-40 (Eating Attitudes Test), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (IBRS) were administered to 58 compulsive-purgative anorectics (AN/BN group), 15 restrictive anorectics (AN group), 33 patients suffering from eating disorder not otherwise identified, 33 purgative bulimics and to 82 female students without eating disorders. RESULTS: Patients with eating disorders ranked significantly higher on the EAT-40 and EDI and all its items (p < 0.001). The AN/BN group ranked significantly higher on the EDI (p < 0.001) and on Drive for thinness, Perfectionism and interpersonal distrust (p < 0.001). The AN group ranked higher on Maturity fears (p < 0.001). The BN group ranged higher on Body dissatisfaction, Ineffectiveness and Interoceptive awareness (p < 0.001). Patients with eating disorders were significantly identified with Feminine category and subjects without eating disorders with Androgynous and Undifferentiated categories on the IBRS (p = 0.002). The AN group showed the highest percentage on Feminine category and the lowest on Androgynous and Undifferentiated categories. All the groups rejected and approved feminine, masculine and neutral qualities. CONCLUSIONS: Femininity emerged as the main trait of gender identity in patients suffering from eating disorders, in contrast to androgyny, showed by healthy women.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Eating attitudes among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Israeli youth lead 27 western countries in dieting. The prevalence of eating disorders has been rising in the last 30 years, causing social problems and medical complications. OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of eating disorders among high school students in a region in northern Israel (Misgav) and to examine the relationship between the parents' employment status and the subject's eating disorder. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data. The short version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to evaluate the subject's attitudes toward and preoccupation with food, dieting, eating, physical appearance, and personal control over eating. RESULTS: Of 360 students approached, 283 (78%) completed the self-report EAT-26. One of every 5 females and one in every 20 males had an abnormal eating attitude. The rate of pathologic EAT-26 results, 20.8%, falls within the high range of similar community-based samples of female adolescents. There were no differences in EAT-26 score between students with an employed or unemployed mother; however, there was a trend for higher EAT-26 scores among those whose father was unemployed (21.4% vs. 12.7%, chi2 = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support our hypothesis of a relatively high rate of abnormal eating attitudes (as reflected by high EAT-26 score) in this population. Another possible risk factor is having an unemployed father, which warrants further research and attention. Our next step is to introduce an intervention program in the school and to study its effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

[Eating disorders in adolescents: clinical and epidemiological aspects].

OBJECTIVE: To compare in female adolescents clinical and epidemiological aspects of eating disorders. METHODS: Three hundred schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who did not score within the pathological range of the Eating attitudes test (EAT-40) (group S), one hundred and thirty eight schoolgirls, university students and young girls with weight problems who scored within the pathological range of the EAT-40 (group SC) and one hundred eating disordered patients (group THC) were given the Eating disorders inventory (EDI). RESULTS: The EAT-26 emerged as an abbreviated and trustful instrument. The scores on the EAT-40 and EDI were lower in group S, intermedial in group SC and higher in group THC. The same statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed on Interoceptive awareness. Bulimia, Ineffectiveness and Maturity fears. Diet (EAT-40-Factor I) (90%) and EDI-Drive for thinness (87%) had the highest sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The EAT-26, EAT-40 and EDI were useful to confirm an eating disorder. On one hand, the profile of the eating disordered patients and the adolescents at risk was characterized by a high Drive for thinness and Body dissatisfaction and on the other, by a low Interoceptive awareness. Diet and Drive for thinness may be helpful for screening large non-clinical groups to predict an eating disorder. Finally, the importance of the nutrition assessment and primary prevention is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

The perceived onset of dieting and loss of control eating behaviors in overweight children.

OBJECTIVE: The current study investigated the self-reported temporal relationships of dieting, binge eating, and overweight in childhood. METHOD: One hundred five non-treatment-seeking overweight children ages 6-13 years were interviewed with the children's Eating Disorder Examination (ChEDE) and queried regarding dieting, loss of control (LOC) eating, and overweight history. Questionnaires of depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and parent-reported problems were completed. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the children reported having attempted at least one diet. These children had higher ChEDE scores (global, p < .001), greater body mass index (BMI) and body fat mass (p < or = .001), and a trend towards an earlier reported age of overweight onset (p = .06) compared with children who had never dieted. The 29.5% of children who reported LOC eating had significantly higher ChEDE scores (global, p < .001), ineffectiveness, negative self-esteem, and externalizing scores (all ps < .05) compared with those who had never experienced LOC eating. Most children reported becoming overweight before either dieting (79.4%) or experiencing LOC eating (63.6%). Among the 25.7% reporting both dieting and LOC eating, two thirds reported LOC eating before dieting. Participants who reported dieting before overweight had higher negative mood scores (p < .01). Children reporting dieting before LOC eating had higher ChEDE Weight Concern (p < .01) and global (p < .05) scores. DISCUSSION: For overweight, non-treatment-seeking children, both dieting and LOC eating are common. Dieting precedes the development of LOC eating only one third of the time, but is associated with greater disordered eating cognitions. The relationship between childhood-onset dieting and LOC eating in overweight children requires further investigation to determine the causal pathways for the subsequent development of eating disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Eating behavior, personality traits and body mass in women.

In an exploratory study in women, the relationships between scales of emotional eating, external eating, and restrained eating, and body mass index (BMI = weight/height2) were studied, as well as the interrelationships between these three eating behavior components. In addition, the relationships between the three eating behavior scales and 19 personality scales were examined. Finally, differences between obese and latent obese women with respect to eating behavior and personality were investigated. Significant relationships were found between BMI and emotional eating, and between BMI and external eating/perceived hunger, but not between BMI and Restrained Eating. Also, restrained eating was found not to be related to the other two eating behavior components. Of the three eating behavior components, emotional eating was shown to have the clearest relationships with a number of personality traits. No difference was observed between the eating behavior of latent obese and obese women, but these groups differed as to a number of personality traits. These results are discussed in terms of consequences for prevalent theories on restrained, external, and emotional eating.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Recurrent binge eating in black American women.

CONTEXT: Recurrent binge eating is a core diagnostic feature of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and in samples of white women has been associated with obesity and psychiatric symptoms. Eating disorders have been believed to occur primarily among white women; in fact, the limited preliminary data available suggest that black women may be as likely as white women to report binge eating. OBJECTIVE: To examine race differences in prevalence of behavioral symptoms of eating disorders and clinically significant recurrent binge eating. DESIGN: Community survey. SETTING: General community in Connecticut and Boston, Mass. PARTICIPANTS: A community sample of 1628 black women and 5741 white women (mean age, 29.7 years) participated in a telephone survey designed to ascertain the presence, during the preceding 3 months, of binge eating and extreme weight control behaviors (vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, or fasting). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Interviewer-based phone assessment of recurrent binge eating and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders. RESULTS: Black women were as likely as white women to report binge eating or vomiting during the preceding 3 months, and were more likely to report fasting and the abuse of laxatives or diuretics. Recurrent binge eating was more common among black women than among white women. In both race groups, recurrent binge eating was associated with elevated body weight and increased psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that recurrent binge eating is a significant problem among black and white women. Health professionals need to be ready to respond to this health risk behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Use of latent profile analysis to identify eating disorder phenotypes in an adult Australian twin cohort.

CONTEXT: The relationships among the different eating disorders that exist in the community are poorly understood, especially for residual disorders in which bingeing or purging occurs in the absence of other behaviors. OBJECTIVE: To examine a community sample for the number of mutually exclusive weight and eating profiles. DESIGN: Data regarding lifetime eating disorder symptoms and weight range were submitted to a latent profile analysis. Profiles were compared regarding personality, current eating and weight, retrospectively reported life events, and lifetime depressive psychopathology. SETTING: Longitudinal study among female twins from the Australian Twin Registry in whom eating was assessed by a telephone interview. PARTICIPANTS: A community sample of 1002 twins (individuals) who had participated in earlier waves of data collection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and clinical character of latent profiles. RESULTS: The best fit was a 5-profile solution with women who were (1) of normal weight with few lifetime eating disorders (4.3%), (2) overweight (10.6% had a lifetime eating disorder), (3) underweight and generally had no eating disorders except for 5.3% who had restricting anorexia nervosa, (4) of low to normal weight (89.0% had a lifetime eating disorder), and (5) obese (37.0% had a lifetime eating disorder). Each profile contained more than 1 type of lifetime eating disorder except for the third profile. Women in the first and third profiles had the best functioning, with women in the fourth and fifth profiles having similarly poorer functioning. The women in the fourth group had a symptom profile distinctive from the other 4 groups in terms of severity; they were also more likely to have had lifetime major depression and suicidality. CONCLUSION: Lifetime weight ranges and the severity of eating disorder symptoms affected clustering more than the type of eating disorder symptom.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Psychological and behavioral factors unpredictive of disordered eating: a prospective study of the general adolescent population in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if cross-sectionally identified correlates of disordered eating among adolescents could also predict disordered eating prospectively over and beyond the initial level of disordered eating. METHOD: Two-wave longitudinal questionnaire study of a representative and nationwide sample of 7,751 Norwegian adolescents aged 12-19 at initial testing (t1). A 12-item version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) was included. RESULTS: Forty percent of the girls and 25% of the boys with disordered eating at t1 also scored above the cut-off point 2 years later (t2). Initial disordered eating, gender, depressed mood, body dissatisfaction, unstable self-perceptions, perceived obesity, excessive exercise, and having idols with perfect bodies all predicted change in disordered eating. However, when the initial symptom load was controlled, these variables - except gender - only contributed marginally to the prediction of disordered eating. These negative results are in line with other longitudinal studies of changes in disordered eating in unselected adolescent populations. DISCUSSION: It cannot be established that psychological factors play a major etiological role in the development of disordered eating. The results are discussed with reference to a potential discontinuity between eating problems and eating disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Binge eating, body image, depression, and self-efficacy in an obese clinical population.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating disorder appears to be an important factor in obesity treatment. Researchers have proposed that specialized treatment programs be developed to address chronic binge eating behavior. This study was conducted to examine the relationships between binge eating, depression, body image, and self-efficacy. Based on related research, it was hypothesized that depression and negative body image would be greater for binge eaters whereas weight self-efficacy would be lower. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Subjects were 159 clinic patients participating in a multidisciplinary weight management program. Baseline measurements of binge eating status, body image and related eating behaviors, depression, and self-efficacy were obtained, whereas follow-up measures consisted of weight loss and attendance. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to obtain factors for items contained in the Eating Habits Questionnaire. Chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses determined relationships between binge eating, body image, depression, and self-efficacy. RESULTS: Univariate comparisons indicated that increased perceptions of poor body image were significantly related to binge eating. Higher levels of depression and lower weight self-efficacy were related to binge eating, but the results were qualified after applying corrective statistics for multiple comparisons. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that body image, particularly characterized by a sense of shame and concern with public appearance, had the strongest relationship to binge eating among all the factors examined in this study. DISCUSSION: These findings extend current understanding of the relationships between binge eating, body image, depression, and self-efficacy. The significance of body image, especially in relation to negative social consciousness, was determined when comparing several psychological and behavioral factors thought to influence binge eating. Further research is needed to determine the causal relationships between binge eating and the other factors examined in this study.

Body Image↗