Men who engage in both subjective and objective binge eating have the highest psychological and medical comorbidities. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Nichole R.; Cotter, Elizabeth; Guidinger, Claire
• Is Part Of: Eating behaviors. Volume 30(2018)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 119
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Binge eating -- Loss of control eating -- Episode size -- Disordered eating -- Men; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; Compulsive eating -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2018.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-0153

Abstract

Abstract: Data suggest that assessing for the presence of loss of control (LOC) while eating is more useful in identifying risk for excess weight gain and psychosocial comorbidities than focusing on the amount of food consumed during episodes of perceived overeating. Yet, most of this research has included children and women. The current study examined whether perceived overeating patterns with and without LOC were uniquely associated with eating- and weight-related comorbidities in a community sample of young men. Participants ( N = 1114; 18–30 y) completed a brief online survey assessing body mass index (BMI); perceived overeating habits, including overeating without LOC (OEs), and subjective (SBEs) and objective binge eating episodes (OBEs); weight-related medical comorbidities; and disordered eating pathology. After adjusting for BMI and race/ethnicity, men who reported engaging in both OBE(s) and SBE(s) were the most likely to have a weight-related medical comorbidity, and reported the highest levels of dietary restraint, concerns about body fat, and excessive exercise pathology. Group differences remained even after adjusting for frequency of disordered eating episodes, a common indicator of severity of comorbid pathology. The current study's findings suggest that young men who engage in both OBE(s) and SBE(s) may be at the highest risk for chronic disease and psychological concerns, although additional studies with prospective data are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. Highlights: Men with both OBE(s) and SBE(s) had the highest comorbid eating disorder pathology. Men with OE(s), SBE(s), or OBE(s) exclusively differed very little from one another. Frequency of disordered eating correlated with BMI and eating disorder pathology. Results were similar after adjusting for frequency of disordered eating episodes.