CHARACTERIZATION OF EATING DISORDERED BEHAVIOR IN OBESE BINGE EATERS

In the present study, the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), a clinical interview designed to characterize the psychopathology specific to eating disorders, was administered to 17 obese women seeking treatment for binge eating problems. Subjects also completed questionnaires to assess binge severity, depression, and weight history. Obese binge eaters obtained EDE subscale scores that did not differ from those reported for normal weight bulimia nervosa patients on the Overeating, Shape Concern, Weight Concern, and Eating Concern Subscales of the EDE; however, bulimia nervosa patients had higher scores on the EDE Restraint Subscale. Questionnaire data indicated that obese binge eaters had considerable depressive symptomatology and that early onset obesity, frequent weight losses, and family histories of obesity were common. These findings suggest that obese binge eaters and bulimia nervosa patients have similar levels of eating disorders psychopathology, but that future research directly comparing overweight and normal weight patients is needed.