Recurrent binge eating in black American women

Context: Recurrent binge eating is a core diagnostic feature of bulimia ner vosa and binge eating disorder, and in samples of white women has been asso ciated with obesity and psychiatric symptoms. Eating disorders have been be lieved to occur primarily among white women; in fact, the limited prelimina ry data available suggest that black women may be as likely as white women to report binge eating. Objective: To examine race differences in prevalence of behavioral symptoms of eating disorders and clinically significant recurrent binge eating. Design: Community survey. Setting: General community in Connecticut and Boston, Mass. Participants: A community sample of 1628 black women and 5741 white women ( mean age, 29.7 years) participated in a telephone survey designed to ascert ain the presence, during the preceding 3 months, of binge eating and extrem e weight control behaviors (vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, or fastin g). Main Outcome Measurer Interviewer-based phone assessment of recurrent binge eating and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders. Results: Black women were as likely as white women to report binge eating o r vomiting during the preceding 3 months, and were more likely to report fa sting and the abuse of laxatives or diuretics. Recurrent binge eating was m ore common among black women than among white women. In both race groups, r ecurrent binge eating was associated with elevated body weight and increase d psychiatric symptoms. Conclusion: Results suggest that recurrent binge eating is a significant pr oblem among black and white women. Health professionals need to be ready to respond to this health risk behavior.