Teasing history, onset of obesity, current eating disorder psychopathology, body dissatisfaction, and psychological functioning in binge eating disorder

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to examine associations among teasing history, onset of obesity, current eating disorder psychopathology , body dissatisfaction, and psychological functioning in women with Binge E ating Disorder (BED). Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects were 115 female adults who met DS M-IV criteria for BED. Measurements assessing teasing history (general appe arance [GAT] and weight and size [WST] teasing), current eating disorder ps ychopathology (binge frequency, eating restraint, and concerns regarding ea ting, shape, and weight), body dissatisfaction, and psychological functioni ng (depression and self-esteem) were obtained. Results: History of GAT, but not WST, was associated with current weight co ncerns and body dissatisfaction, whereas both GAT and WST were significantl y associated with current psychological functioning. Patients with earlier onset of obesity reported more WST than patients with later onset of obesit y, but the groups did not differ significantly in GAT, current eating disor der psychopathology, body dissatisfaction, or psychological functioning. Ob ese women reported more WST than non-obese women, but no differences in GAT or the other outcome variables were observed. Higher frequency of GAT was associated with greater binge frequency in obese women, and with greater ea ting restraint in non-obese women. Discussion: Although physical appearance teasing history is not associated with variability in most eating disorder psychopathology, it is associated with related functioning, most notably body dissatisfaction, depression, an d self-esteem. Our findings also suggest that the age of onset of obesity a nd current body mass index status in isolation are not associated with eati ng psychopathology or associated psychological functioning in adult patient s with BED.