Weight Loss & Binge Eaters
Weight Loss Expectations in Patients with
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)
Weight Loss & BED Study - Aim
To study weight loss expectations in patients with binge-eating disorder
and to examine whether expectations differed by sex and motivation for
treatment.
Weight Loss & BED Study - Methods
One hundred and thirty patients (104 women and 26 men), aged 23 to 61
(mean age, 43.0 years), with BED completed a measure of desired weights
that included their dream weight, happy weight, acceptable weight, and
disappointed weight. In a structured interview, participants were asked
their primary motivation for seeking treatment (appearance or health)
and their lowest adult weight
(LAW).
Weight Loss & BED Study - Results
The BED participants reported weight loss expectations that far exceeded
expert and governmental guidelines. In this sample, desired dream body
mass index (BMI), happy BMI, and acceptable BMI averaged reductions in
current weight of 36 percent, 29 percent, and 23 percent, respectively.
Even the "disappointed" BMI was an average 14 percent reduction
in current weight, and was 1.5 to 3 times greater than the expert recommendation
(5 percent to 10 percent). Comparisons of desired weights were significantly
different for women and men, whereas percent reductions from current weight
were not. Although weight goal expectations were significantly lower for
those motivated by appearance, compared with those motivated by health,
percent reductions for current weight were not. Desired dream weight correlated
with reported LAW, and the mean difference between these weights was not
significant.
Weight Loss & BED Study - Issues
These findings suggest that patients with BED have weight loss expectations
that far exceed expert and governmental guidelines and that these expectations
do not differ by sex or motivation for seeking treatment. One possible
explanation for these unrealistic desired weights may be the patients'
recollections of their LAWs.
Source: Yale University School of Medicine.
2003
Weight Loss Methods
The science of weight loss and obesity management is constantly evolving,
along with research into weight loss drugs, supplements and gastric bypass
surgery. At present, however, a balanced diet combined with regular exercise
remains the favored weight management strategy of most weight loss experts. Return to Weight Loss Data
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