The role of daily hassles in binge eating

Objective The present study investigated the relationship between daily hassles and the frequency and caloric intake of eating episodes among normal‐weight women who engage in binging (n = 17) and those who do not (n = 17). Method For 2 weeks, participants self‐monitored their food intake during the day and completed The Hassles Scale each evening before retiring. Results Results indicated that women who engage in binge eating rated daily hassles as significantly more stressful than women who do not binge. Also, women who engage in binge eating consumed significantly more calories on those days characterized by higher as opposed to lower levels of stress. Discussion Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 449–454, 2001.