The Binge Eating Scale: Structural Equation Competitive Models, Invariance Measurement Between Sexes, and Relationships With Food Addiction, Impulsivity, Binge Drinking, and Body Mass Index

Abstract

Introduction: The Binge Eating Scale (BES) is a widely used self-report questionnaire to identify compulsive eaters. However, research on the dimensions and psychometric properties of the BES is limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the properties of the Spanish version of the BES. Methods: Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) were carried out to verify the BES factor structure in a sample of Spanish college students ( N = 428, 75.7% women; age range = 18–30). An invariance measurement routine was carried out across sexes, the latent means were compared, and estimates of reliability and convergent and discriminant validity were presented. Results: A one-factor model fit the data best and was also equivalent between sexes. The scalar invariance model showed statistically significant differences across sexes, with a higher prevalence in women. Regarding reliability, the results were excellent. Finally, high statistically significant correlations were obtained with other measures of binge eating (BE), food addiction, impulsivity, binge drinking, and body mass index (BMI). Conclusion: The Spanish 16-item BES is a valid and reliable scale to evaluate BE in the youth population.

Understanding the Influence of Eating Patterns on Binge Drinking: A Mediation Model

“…As regards the mediation variables, they included: Binge eating. This variable was assessed using the total score on the Binge Eating Scale (BES; [56]; Spanish version: [57]). The BES is a 16-item self-report questionnaire designed to identify the symptoms associated with binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time and feeling loss of control).…”

Anhedonia and functional dyspepsia in obese patients: Relationship with binge eating behaviour

“…The BES measures the behavioral aspects of binge eating, as well as the feelings and thoughts associated with such behavior [26] . It is a self-administered questionnaire composed of 16 multiple choice items: Eight items that describe behavioral manifestations (for example, eating fast or consuming large amounts of food) and eight items on associated feelings and cognitions (for example, fear of not stopping eating) [27] . Each item has a response range from 0 to 3 points (0 = no severity of the BES symptoms, 3 = serious problems of the BES symptoms).…”

Food Addiction Mediates the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Body Mass Index in Taiwan Young Adults

“…Since the degree of perceived stress varies in individuals, understanding characteristics of people who have less stress tolerance and are highly reactive to stress is important [ 39 ]. Research has shown that individuals with high impulsivity levels are more likely to result in obesity [ 40 , 41 , 42 ], and activities such as exercise, music, and meditation can help sooth emotions and avoid overeating [ 43 ]. Although the content of FA has been debated over whether it is more of a “substance addiction” or a “behavior addiction” [ 43 , 44 ], pharmacologic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are both believed to be effective ways to treat substance addiction and addictive behaviors, and were proven to elevate the efficiency when both therapies were applied as treatment [ 45 , 46 ].…”