Binge eating disorder and weight cycling in obese women

Abstract

A group of 35 obese women with binge eating disorder (BED) and 60 obese without this disorder (non-BED) were compared in terms of psychopathology and weight cycling, using a semistructured interview and a set of questionnaires. The BED group showed much more psychopathology than the non-BED group, especially with regard to depression. The former were more likely to report dietary disinhibition, excessive concern with shape and thinness, and difficulty in interpreting hunger and satiety. They also showed a greater sense of ineffectiveness and probability to overeat in response to negative emotions and social situations. No differences were found between the groups as to their age of first diet and their total number of dieting episodes. Our data suggest no important relationship between binge eating and weight cycling.