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Binge eating in overweight treatment-seeking adolescents

Deborah R. Glasofer, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff*, Kamryn T. Eddy, Susan Z. Yanovski, Kelly R. Theim, Margaret C. Mirch, Samareh Ghorbani, Lisa M. Ranzenhofer, David Haaga, Jack A. Yanovski

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

187 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the frequency and recency of binge eating in relation to psychopathology in overweight, treatment-seeking adolescents. Methods: We investigated psychological correlates of the frequency and recency of reported loss of control (LOC) eating episodes in 160 overweight (body mass index [BMI]: 40.7 ± 8.8 kg/m2) adolescents. On the basis of the responses to the eating disorder examination (EDE), participants were categorized into one of four groups: full-syndrome binge eating disorder (BED); recent but infrequent binge eating (episodes within the 3 months before interview; RECENT-BINGE); remote and infrequent LOC eating (episodes occurring >3 months before assessment; PAST-LOC), or no history of LOC episodes (NE). Results: The BED group reported higher EDE scores (global, p < .01), and more negative mood and anxiety than all other groups (p's < .01). Compared with NE, RECENT-BINGE also reported more anxiety and higher EDE scores (p's < .01). Conclusions: Overweight, treatment-seeking adolescents with BED are clearly distinguishable from teens without the disorder on measures of eating-related psychopathology, mood, and anxiety. RECENT-BINGE, but not PAST-LOC, is also associated with significantly greater eating-related and general psychopathology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-105
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Binge eating
  • Binge eating disorder
  • Obesity

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