CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND PRECURSORS OF BINGE-EATING IN AN ADOLESCENT FEMALE-POPULATION

Objective: We examined the cross-sectional association between childho od sexual abuse (CSA) and self-reported binge eating in an adolescent female population. Methods: Study subjects were recruited from clinics specializing in the treatment of CSA, and control subjects were from high schools in the same cities. Height and weight were measured and s ubjects completed four questionnaires pertaining to binge eating, depr ession, locus of control, and self-esteem. Results: Study subjects sho wed significantly higher depression, external locus of control, and bi nge earing, and significantly lower self-esteem and weight satisfactio n scores than did control subjects. After adjusting for all covariable s simultaneously, CSA was not an independent correlate of binge eating score. The strongest correlates of binge eating score in the multivar iable analysis were depression, body mass index (BMI), and weight sati sfaction. Conclusions: Psychological factors such as depression or wei ght satisfaction influential than is sexual abuse per se in the relati onship between CSA and eating disorders. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons , Inc.