Binge eating in overweight treatment-seeking adolescents

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.