Different methods for assessing the features of eating disorders in patients with binge eating disorder: A replication

Objective: To compare different methods for assessing the features of eatin g disorders in patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 47 participants with BED were a dministered the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) Interview and completed t he EDE-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) at baseline. A total of 37 participants prospe ctively self-monitored their eating behaviors daily for 4 weeks and then co mpleted another EDE-Q. Results: At baseline, the EDE and the EDE-Q were significantly correlated o n frequencies of objective bulimic episodes (binge eating), overeating epis odes, and on the dietary restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and sha pe concern subscales. Mean differences in the EDE and EDE-Q frequencies of objective bulimic episodes and overeating were not significant but scores o n the four subscales differed significantly, with the EDEQ yielding higher scores. At the 4-week point, the EDE-Q retrospective 28-day assessment was significantly correlated with the prospective daily self-monitoring records for frequency of objective bulimic episodes and the mean difference betwee n the methods was not significant. The EDE-Q and self-monitoring findings f or subjective bulimic episodes and objective overeating differed significan tly. Discussion: In patients with BED, the three assessment methods showed some areas of acceptable convergence.