Binge-Eating Disorder & Obesity in
Obese Children
Weight Loss Study Aim
The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which a population
of obese children and adolescents developed binge-eating disorder (BED).
Weight Loss Study Method
A sample of 196 obese children and adolescents (aged 10-16 y) seeking
weight-loss treatment at two treatment facilities (inpatient and outpatient
treatment) was screened using the eating disorder examination.
Weight Loss Study Results
Only 1 percent of the subjects met the criteria for BED and 9 percent
were found to have objective bulimic episodes (OBEs, overeating with loss
of control), but did not endorse all of the other DSM-criteria that are
required for a diagnosis of BED. OBEs were more common in girls than in
boys. Episodic overeating was more common than binge eating. Compared
to children without OBEs, children engaging in OBEs were more overweight
and showed a greater eating-related psychopathology. The age of the first
OBE was 10.88 y. It appears that overweight precedes binge eating.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
A subgroup of girls and boys seeking treatment for obesity shows considerable
eating difficulties. The results highlight the importance of considering
binge-eating symptoms when devising treatment programs for children and
adolescents suffering from obesity.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(2003)
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