BINGE EATING AND BULIMIA NERVOSA IN PHYSICAL EXERCISE PRACTITIONERS

Introduction: National studies have shown variations on the prevalence of binge eating ranging from 14.9 to 18.1%, while Bulimia Nervosa rates (BN) have been reported from 1 a 3.6%. Individuals with eating disorders may look for environments where physical exercise is stimulated, and therefore mask their disease's characteristics, doing exercises compulsively after a binge eating episode. Objective: To identify the prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and BN in physical exercise practitioners, and verify its associations with nutritional status, modality, frequency, duration and the goals of the physical exercise practice. Methods: Cross-sectional study composed with 103 individuals, over 18 years old, mean age 37.7 (SD+/-15.6) years old, of both genders, physical exercise practitioners for a period of at least three months uninterruptedly before the beginning of the study. In order to analyze the prevalence of BED and BN, the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns - Revised (QEWP-R) was used, as well as a specific questionnaire approaching physical exercise. The nutritional status was classified based on BMI. Results: The BED prevalence in physical exercise practitioners was 0.97%. There were associations between higher BMI values (p= 0.026), lower age (TCAP p= 0.036; BN p= 0.01) and "aesthetics" goals as a reason for practicing physical exercise (TCAP p= 0.011; BN p= 0.043) with higher scores in BED and BN. Conclusion: The prevalence of BED and BN found in this study was in accordance to what has been reported in the international literature. No association was found between binge eating and higher frequency of physical exercise.