Onset of dieting vs binge eating in outpatients with binge eating disorder

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential significance of the sequence of the ons et of dieting and binge eating in binge eating disorder (BED). DESIGN: BED patients were interviewed and completed a battery of psychometr ically well-established measures of current eating behaviors, eating disord er psychopathology, and associated psychological functioning. SUBJECTS: Participants were 98 consecutive outpatients with BED evaluated f or a clinical trial. MEASURES: Interview data, self-report measures and measured body weight wer e examined. RESULTS: participants who reported that dieting preceded binge eating (DIET first, 65%) were compared to those who reported that binge eating preceded their first diet (BINGEfirst, 35%). The study groups did not differ in demo graphy, current or highest body mass index, current eating behaviors or psy chopathology, or psychological functioning. The two groups did not differ i n age of first diet; however, the BINGEfirst group was significantly younge r when first overweight, at onset of binge eating, and at onset of BED diag nosis. The BINGEfirst group reported a higher frequency of being teased abo ut their weight. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial subgroup of BED patients report that binge eatin g preceded their first diet. This finding, which replicates previous report s for BED and appears higher than that: generally reported for bulimia nerv osa, may have implication for etiologic models of binge eating.