Severe Binge Eating Research Articles

ADHD Rate in Obese Women With Binge Eating and Bulimic Behaviors From a Weight-Loss Clinic

Objective: Few studies have demonstrated a possible association between ADHD and obesity in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ADHD in a sample of obese women seeking treatment, and its relations with binge eating and bulimic behaviors. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study in a clinical sample of one hundred fifty-five women, with a mean age of 38.9 (+10.7) years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 39.2 (+5.29). Participants were evaluated with semistructured interviews and completed self-report psychiatric rating scales. Results: The rate of ADHD in the sample was of 28.3%. The presence of ADHD was significantly correlated with more severe binge eating, bulimic behaviors, and depressive symptomatology. Conclusion: Similar to previous studies, a higher than expected rate of ADHD was observed among obese women. ADHD in obese individuals may be a risk factor for greater severity of disordered eating patterns.

Reward-Seeking Behavior in Human Narcolepsy

The hypocretin system enhances signaling in the mesolimbic pathways regulating reward processing and addiction. Because individuals with narcolepsy with cataplexy have low hypocretin levels, we hypothesized that they may be less prone to risk- and reward-seeking behaviors, including substance abuse. Endpoints were performance on an array of psychometric tests (including the Eysenck Impulsiveness Scale, the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale, the Gormally Binge Eating Scale, and the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory) and on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Tertiary narcolepsy referral centers in Leiden (The Netherlands) and Boston (USA). Subjects with narcolepsy with cataplexy (n = 30), narcolepsy without cataplexy (n = 15), and controls (n = 32) matched for age, sex, and smoking behavior. None. There was no difference in risk-taking behavior between narcolepsy with or without cataplexy and the control group, as measured using the BART and the array of questionnaires. However, subjects in the narcolepsy with cataplexy group had significantly higher scores on the Eysenck Impulsiveness Scale (p < 0.05), with 10.0% categorized as impulsive, compared to 6.7% of the narcolepsy without cataplexy group and none of the controls. Narcoleptics with cataplexy also scored significantly higher than controls on the Binge Eating Scale (p < 0.05), with moderate or severe binge eating in 23%. On the depression and anxiety scales, all narcolepsy patients, especially those with cataplexy, scored significantly higher than controls. We found that narcoleptics with or without cataplexy generally have normal risk-taking behavior, but narcoleptics with cataplexy were more impulsive and more prone to binge eating than patients without cataplexy and controls. Our findings shed new light on the relation between sleepiness and impulsiveness. Furthermore, rates of depression and anxiety were higher in all narcoleptic subjects. However, using the current methods, no evidence could be found to support the hypothesis that hypocretin deficiency would affect reward-processing in humans.

Relationship between dietary restraint, binge eating, and leptin in obese women.

To describe some biological, behavioural and psychological correlates of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and to determine the relationship between dietary restraint, binge eating, and leptin among obese women seeking treatment. Consecutive series of obese women enrolled in a clinical program for weight reduction treatment. Forty-two obese women. Eight participants met the criteria for 'severe binge eating' as measured by the Binge Eating Scale. Energy intake, resting energy expenditure, body composition, leptin, restraint, disinhibition, hunger and binge eating were assessed before starting the treatment. In this sample both higher disinhibition and hunger scores were associated with greater binge eating severity. Obese women with severe binge eating had lower restraint, higher disinhibition and hunger scores, as well as higher daily fat intake, when compared with obese non-binge-eaters. Interestingly, restraint scores were negatively associated with leptin levels among subjects with severe binge eating. In obese women with severe binge eating, the negative relationship between dietary restraint and serum leptin concentrations seems mediated by a greater fat intake. These findings need to be verified in further human studies.

Comorbid psychopathology in binge eating disorder: Relation to eating disorder severity at baseline and following treatment.

Individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) have high rates of comorbid psychopathology, yet little is known about the relation of comorbidity to eating disorder features or response to treatment. These issues were examined among 162 BED patients participating in a psychotherapy trial. Axis I psychopathology was not significantly related to baseline eating disorder severity, as measured by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-I and SCID-II) and the Eating Disorder Examination. However, presence of Axis II psychopathology was significantly related to more severe binge eating and eating disorder psychopathology at baseline. Although overall presence of Axis II psychopathology did not predict treatment outcome, presence of Cluster B personality disorders predicted significantly higher levels of binge eating at 1 year following treatment. Results suggest the need to consider Cluster B disorders when designing treatments for BED.

Prevalence of Eating Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Patients

This study investigated the prevalence of eating disorders among a group of 125 patients presenting for gastric bypass surgery. Prior to surgery they completed a self-report questionnaire to indicate the presence of eating-disordered behaviors—specifically, bingeing, grazing, and purging—and the presence of depression. The results showed a 33.3% prevalence of severe binge eating in this group. Severe binge eating was associated with grazing behavior and depression. Findings suggest that bariatric patients should be carefully assessed for eating disorders prior to surgery so that a comprehensive treatment plan can be implemented to help ensure postsurgical weight loss maintenance.

Psychological Symptoms are Greater Among Weight Cycling Women with Severe Binge Eating Behavior

Objective To identify psychological characteristics and eating behaviors associated with weight cycling and binge eating behaviors in overweight women (body mass index >27.3). Design Questionnaires measuring self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping strategies, psychological symptoms, depression, binge eating, restrained eating, disinhibition, and hunger were administered to female weight cyclers who were overweight. Psychological characteristics were compared between subjects grouped by binge eating disorder classification and by binge eating severity. Subjects A convenience sample of 62 female weight cyclers who were overweight was recruited from the Chicago, Ill, area. Questionnaires were administered individually or in small groups in subjects’ homes or other private settings. Statistical analyses Student's t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess differences in psychological characteristics. Results Thirty-six weight cyclers (58%) met the criteria for binge eating disorder and 26 (42%) did not. Weight cyclers with binge eating disorder reported greater severity of binge eating ( P<.0005) and disinhibition ( P<.0005) and poorer eating self-efficacy ( P<.0005) than weight cyclers without binge eating disorder. Weight cyclers with severe binge eating behaviors reported greater psychological distress ( P<.0005) and depression ( P<.005) and lower self-esteem ( P=.0001) and used less healthful coping strategies ( P=.0027) than weight cyclers with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. Weight cyclers with severe binge eating behavior also reported more hunger ( P<.0005) and used less cognitive restraint ( P=.0024) than those with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. Applications Operational definitions of weight cycling and binge eating are needed to facilitate research on effective weight-loss treatments. Persons seeking to lose weight (especially weight cyclers) should be assessed for binge eating severity, problematic eating behaviors, and psychological symptoms. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:863-868.

Psychological Characteristics And Eating Behaviors Of Women Who Weight Cycle (wc) And Women Who Wc And Have Binge Eating Disorder

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify possible psychological and behavioral characteristics associated with We or Binge Eating Disorder in overweight women.Because maintenance of a healthy body weight is difficult for a substantial portion of the population, WC (defined as two weight loss and regains of ≥ of body weight with at least one cycle occurring in the last five years) often results. To better understand weight loss barriers, investigators used seven psychological questionnaires to examine the psychological characteristics and eating behaviors of 62 female, overweight (body mass index * 27.3 kg/m2) WC. Thirty-six subjects (58%) met the criteria and 26 subjects (42%) did not meet the criteria for Binge Eating Disorder (BED, defined by DSMIV criteria). WC with BED showed greater binge eating severity (p≤0.01) than WC without BED. In addition, these subjects reported poorer perceived confidence in controlling their eating behaviors (or eating self-efficacy) (p≤0.01) than WC without BED. When subjects were grouped according to binge eating severity, WC with severe binge eating (n-21) showed greater psychological distress (p≤0.01), more depression (p≤0.01), lower self-esteem (p≤0.01), and less engaged coping strategies (p≤0.01) than WC with none to moderate binge eating problems (n=4l). Severe bingers also reported more hunger (p≤0.0005) and less cognitive restraint (p≤0.0024) than those subjects with none to moderate binge eating severity. The current research demonstrates psychopathology and problem eating behaviors among female WC.

The clinical significance of binge eating in an obese population: Support for bed and questions regarding its criteria

The present study examined the prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) among 192 obese individuals seeking treatment in a university-based eating disorders program. Subjects responded to a self-report questionnaire on the presence and severity of binge eating and were divided into two groups: 1. (a) 48 non-binge eaters 2. (b) 144 binge eaters, 72 of whom met criteria for BED. Binge eaters reported earlier onset of obesity, higher levels of psychopathology, and less competence in relation to weight control. Comparison between the 72 individuals diagnosed with BED and the 72 binge eaters not meeting BED criteria indicated that the former group evidenced more severe binge eating and a higher level of depression. Given the differences across a range of psychological variables between binge eaters and non-binge eaters, these findings support the clinical and research value of BED as a new diagnostic category. However. they also indicate that severity of binge eating, regardless of frequency and associated behavioral features, is the most important distinguishing characteristic. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate threshold for BED diagnosis.

Comparison of a standard behavioral weight loss treatment and a binge eating weight loss treatment

Women with no, moderate, or severe binge eating were treated with either a standard behavioral weight loss treatment or a weight loss treatment modified to better address binge eating problems. Results indicated significant interactions between type of treatment and binge severity for weight loss. At posttreatment, there was a trend for women with severe binge eating to lose more weight in the binge eating treatment. This difference was significant at follow-up, as women with severe binge eating in the binge eating treatment continued to lose weight. Women with moderate binge eating problems lost more weight in the standard treatment. Weight loss for women who did not binge eat did not differ between the treatments. Binge eating, dietary restraint, and depression were significantly reduced, but were not reduced more by the binge eating treatment. Results provide preliminary data on an effective weight loss treatment for women with severe binge eating problems.

Distressed binge eaters as a distinct subgroup among obese individuals

This study was conducted to examine the degree to which binge eating and psychological distress among obese adults are associated with a variety of behavioral patterns and competencies that could substantially affect weight control. Subjects were 167 obese people who sought help in a long-term cognitive behavioral treatment program. Subjects were divided into three groups depending on their level of psychological distress and severity of binge eating. Subjects were also assessed on coping style, subjective distress, weight history, and exercising and eating patterns. Results demonstrated substantial differences between those reporting relatively few problems with binge eating or psychological distress as opposed to those with noteworthy problems in both. The presence of either severe binge eating or psychological distress was associated with problems in regulating food-related behavior and, more generally, to problematic coping styles. These findings support the importance of in-depth assessment when treating obesity, more intensive treatment for some subgroupings, and long-term studies that incorporate comprehensive pretreatment process measure of eating style and psychological distress.

Phenytoin treatment of the binge-eating syndrome

Nineteen subjects completed a 12-week double-blind crossover study comparing phenytoin with placebo in the treatment of severe binge eating. In the placebophenytoin sequence the number of binges decreased during phenytoin treatment from both placebo and pretreatment levels. However, in the phenytoin-placebo sequence, not only did phenytoin reduce the number of binges from pretreatment levels, but there was no reversal of this effect during the placebo period. This sequential effect was unexpected and is still unexplained. The mechanism of phenytoin action and the significance of EEG abnormalities found in 7 of the subjects remain uncertain.