Obese Binge Eaters: Affect, Cognitions, and Response to Behavioral Weight Control

The present study compared obese female binge eaters and nonbinge eaters of comparable age and weight on mood, diet behavior, and responses to a standard versus modified behavioral weight-control program. The modified behavioral program emphasized meal regularity, intake of complex carbohydrates, and activity as an alternate to overeating. Binge eaters reported significantly more depressive symptomatology, psychological distress, and maladaptive diet behavior than nonbinge eaters at pretreatment and at all subsequent assessments. Furthermore, binge eaters were more likely to drop out of treatment. No differences in weight loss at posttreatment occurred between binge eaters and nonbinge eaters, but binge eaters regained significantly more weight than nonbinge eaters at 6-month follow-up. Differences in weight loss between the groups were not significant at the 1-year follow-up, and no significant differences between the standard and modified treatment conditions were observed. Marked differences between binge eaters and nonbinge eaters in affect and cognitions appeared to persist despite behavioral treatment.