PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS ARE GREATER AMONG WEIGHT CYCLING WOMEN WITH SEVERE BINGE-EATING BEHAVIOR

Objective To identify psychological characteristics and eating behavio rs associated with weight cycling and binge eating behaviors in overwe ight women (body mass index >27.3). Design Questionnaires measuring se lf-esteem, self-efficacy, coping strategies, psychological symptoms, d epression, binge eating, restrained eating, disinhibition, and hunger were administered to female weight cyclers who were overweight. Psycho logical characteristics were compared between subjects grouped by bing e eating disorder classification and by binge eating severity. Subject s A convenience sample of 62 female weight cyclers who were overweight was recruited from the Chicago, Ill, area. Questionnaires were admini stered individually or in small groups in subjects' homes or other pri vate settings. Statistical analyses Student's t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess differences in psychological characteristi cs. Results Thirty-six weight cyclers (58%) met the criteria for binge eating disorder and 26 (42%) did not. Weight cyclers with binge eatin g disorder reported greater severity of binge eating (P<.0005) and dis inhibition (P<.0005) and poorer eating self-efficacy (P<.0005) than we ight cyclers without binge eating disorder. Weight cyclers with severe binge eating behaviors reported greater psychological distress (P<.00 05) and depression (P<.005) and lower self-esteem (P=.0001) and used l ess healthful coping strategies (P=.0027) than weight cyclers with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. Weight cyclers with se vere binge eating behavior also reported more hunger (P<0005) and used less cognitive restraint (P=.0024) than those with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. Applications Operational definitions of weight cycling and binge eating are needed to facilitate research o n effective weight-loss treatments. Persons seeking to lose weight (es pecially weight cyclers) should be assessed for binge eating severity, problematic eating behaviors, and psychological symptoms.