Comparing physical activity in individuals with overweight/obesity with and without binge eating disorder.

Abstract

SummaryObjectiveDifferential participation in physical activity (PA) may partially explain the health discrepancies between individuals with or without binge‐eating disorder (BED). Yet, little is known about the PA habits of individuals with overweight/obesity and how those patterns may differ based on BED status. PA patterns and exercise self‐efficacy were examined in individuals with overweight/obesity, with and without BED.DesignNinety‐seven participants with overweight/obesity self‐reported their PA via the Godin Leisure‐Time Questionnaire and the Paffenbarger PA Questionnaire. Exercise self‐efficacy was assessed with the Marcus 5‐item Exercise Self‐Efficacy scale. Based on the Eating Disorder Examination, 27.8% (n = 27) of the participants met BED criteria. Participants were primarily female (n = 75, 77.3%), on average 47.5 years old (standard deviation = 10.4), and predominantly White/Not Hispanic (n = 67, 69.1%) or African–American/Not Hispanic (n = 18, 18.6%).ResultsHierarchical regressions, accounting for significant differences in body mass index between those with and without BED, showed that the Marcus 5‐item Exercise Self‐Efficacy Scale (but not BED status) was significantly related to PA. BED status also was unrelated to likelihood of reaching Centres for Disease Control PA guidelines, and 44.3% of all participants reported no participation in weekly sports/recreation activities.ConclusionsBoth groups participated in relatively little purposeful and moderate/strenuous PA. Exercise self‐efficacy may be important to assess and address among treatment seeking individuals with and without BED who struggle with excess weight.