The prevalence and correlates of binge eating in a British community sample of women with a history of obesity

Objective: To estimate the frequency of binge eating and binge eating disorder and their correlates in a sample of women with a history of obesity. Method: A group of women who had been found in a previous community study to have a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 were studied using self-report measures (n = 74) and interview (n = 62). Results: One subject met criteria for binge eating disorder, while 24% reported binging. Subjects who reported binging were significantly more likely to have a past history of depressive illness. Discussion: Prevalence of binge eating, binge eating disorder, and psychopathology was broadly in keeping with that found in North America. In addition, there were nonsignificant trends towards a positive family history of obesity, of childhood obesity, of early onset of dieting, of excessive concern about weight and shape, and a recent history of weight reduction. Further study is required to elucidate the causes of binge eating in the obese. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.