Binge eating disorder and obesity

Abstract

Binge eating disorder (BED) was included in the DSM IV as a proposed diagnostic category for further study and as an example for an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). BED is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of regular compensatory behavior such as vomiting or laxative abuse. Related features include eating until uncomfortably full, eating when not physically hungry, eating alone and feelings of depression or guilt. BED is associated with increased psychopathology including depression and personality disorders. Although BED is not limited to obese individuals, it is most common in this group and those who seek help do so for treatment of overweight rather than for binge eating. In community samples, the prevalence of BED has been found to be 2 -5%, in individuals who seek weight control treatment the prevalence is 30%. BED is more equal in gender ratio than bulimia nervosa. Eating disorder treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) improve binge eating with abstinence rates of about 50%. Antidepressants are also effective in reducing binge eating, though less so than psychotherapy. Standard weight loss treatments including bariatric surgery do not seem to exacerbate binge eating problems. Thus, both eating disorder and obesity treatments seem to be beneficial in BED. However, it is recommended today that treatment should first be directed at the disordered eating and associated psychopathology. International Journal of Obesity (2001) 25, Suppl 1, S51 -S55 Keywords: binge eating; binge eating disorder; comorbidity DiagnosisAlthough Albert Stunkard in 1955 1 identified binge eating as a distinct eating pattern in some obese individuals, this phenomenon received little systematic attention until a few years ago. Preliminary criteria for a disorder, termed binge eating disorder (BED) in DSM IV 2 has been delineated in an attempt to better define and study this problem. This newly conceptualized eating disorder has been given provisional status by being included in the Appendix of the DSM IV 2 for diagnostic categories meriting further study, and is also included as an example of eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The diagnostic criteria currently recommended for BED are presented in Table 1.It is important to keep in mind that in clinical settings the great majority of persons with BED will have varying degrees of obesity, even though the diagnosis is not limited to overweight individuals. PrevalenceThe community surveys have estimated the current prevalence of binge eating disorder to be between 2 and 5%. 3,4 BED is more equal in gender ratio 5 (65% female, 35% male) than bulimia nervosa (BN), for which only about 10% of persons affected are men. 5 BED is more common among overweight women seeking treatment than overweight women not seeking treatment. Approximately 30% of those participating in weight loss programs and 70% of individuals in Overeaters Anonymous display BED. 4 Interestingly, in a community sur...

Two Measures of Health‐Related Quality of Life in Morbid Obesity

“…Even though obese individuals in the general population manifest no more psychological disturbance than do nonobese individuals (1), obese persons who seek treatment seem to be more likely than nontreatment-seeking obese persons to experience psychological disturbance and eating disorders (2). Furthermore, treatment-seeking obese persons who are binge eaters report greater psychological distress than do obese persons seeking treatment who are nonbinge eaters (3)(4)(5)(6).…”

“…Furthermore, treatment-seeking obese persons who are binge eaters report greater psychological distress than do obese persons seeking treatment who are nonbinge eaters (3)(4)(5)(6). The frequency of binge-eating disorder (BED) among obese persons applying to weight-reduction programs ranges between 16% and 30% (2). BED also seems to be very common among the morbidly obese presenting for bariatric surgery, with prevalence rates ranging from 12.5% to 49% (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

Transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica em uma população de obesos mórbidos candidatos a cirurgia bariátrica do Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz, em Recife - PE

“…O TCAP foi verificado em 56,7% dos entrevistados, freqüência maior dos 5 a 50% encontrados em obesos que buscam serviços especializados para tratamento da obesidade (1)(2)(3)(4). Essas cifras elevadas nos levou a refletir sobre as suas possíveis causas.…”

“…A OBESIDADE É UM IMPORTANTE problema de saúde pública, tendo em vista sua alta prevalência, a dificuldade no controle e o elevado índice de recidiva. Estima-se a freqüência de 5 a 30% do transtorno da compulsão alimentar periódica (TCAP) em obesos que buscam serviços especializados para tratamento da obesidade, embora tenha sido encontrada prevalência de até 50%, comparada a 2-3% na população geral (1)(2)(3)(4). No Brasil, Appolinário e cols.…”

Expanding binge eating assessment: Validity and screening value of the Binge Eating Scale in women from the general population

“…In fact, recent research reports growing prevalence rates of binge eating problems among the community (de Zwaan, 2001;Ribeiro, Conceição, Vaz, & Machado, 2014;Striegel-Moore & Franko, 2003), with women being more likely to present these problems than men (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope, & Kessler, 2007;Kessler et al, 2013).…”