Comparison of men and women with binge eating disorder

✍ Scribed by Tanofsky, Marian B. ;Wilfley, Denise E. ;Spurrell, Emily Borman ;Welch, Robinson ;Brownell, Kelly D.

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 183 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199701)21:1<49::aid-eat6>3.0.co;2-3

✦ Synopsis

Objective: This study examined gender differences in individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) on eating-related psychopathology and general psychological functioning. Method: Subjects were age-matched men (n = 21) and women (n = 21) with BED who were administered the Eating Disorders Examination (EDE), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) and SCID II, and who completed the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) and other questionnaires regarding psychological functioning. Results: Men and women did not differ on measures of eating disturbance, shape and weight concerns, interpersonal problems, or self-esteem, but more men than women met criteria for at least one Axis I diagnosis and had a lifetime diagnosis of substance dependence. Women were more likely to report eating in response to negative emotions, particularly anxiety, anger and frustration, and depression. Discussion: Results from our study suggest that while men and women presenting for treatment for BED are very similar, males may have more Axis I psychiatric disturbance and less emotional eating than their female counterparts. These findings are discussed in terms of the role of gender in BED and possible treatment implications are explored.