BINGE-EATING DISORDER, RETENTION, AND DROPOUT IN AN ADULT OBESITY PROGRAM

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associate d with dropout in a weight reduction program among obese, nonpurging b inge and nonbinge eaters. Method: We categorized 156 obese, nonpurging women previously randomized to a behavior modification-based (BM) or a food addiction theory-based (FD) weight reduction intervention by bi nge status using the DSM-IV criteria for binge earing disorder (BED). Subjects were monitored prospectively for dropout during the 6-month i ntervention period. Results: Results of a Cox proportional hazards sur vival analysis indicated binge status had a statistically significant (p = .04) protective effect against dropout. Binge eaters were half as likely to dropout versus nonbinge eaters. Discussion: We conclude tha t (1) the DSM-IV criteria for BED is a useful method of classifying ob ese individuals in weight loss interventions and (2) the identificatio n of subgroups among obese subjects is an important step in understand ing retention in weight loss programs. Future research can confirm thi s finding. (C) 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.