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Comparison of psychological characteristics of binging and nonbinging obese, adult, female outpatients

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Abstract

Objective: This study compared levels of depression, anxiety and self-esteem in binging and nonbinging obese, adult females in a hospital weight-loss program. Method: Participants (n=43; mean age=43.5 yrs) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) upon entering the program (Week 0). A subgroup (n=15) completed the same inventories on Week 4 and Week 8. Results: Binge eaters had significantly higher levels of depression (p<0.002) and lower levels of self-esteem (p<0.001) on Week 0. For the subgroup that remained in the program through Week 8, significantly higher depression levels (p<0.01) and anxiety levels (p<0.05) persisted for the binge eaters. Discussion: Results indicate that obese binge eaters have more psychological distress than nonbingers, and that these differences tend to persist even during weight loss.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA

    P. Jirik-Babb

  2. New York Obesity Research Center, Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Touro College, New York, USA

    A. Geliebter

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  1. P. Jirik-Babb
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  2. A. Geliebter
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Correspondence to P. Jirik-Babb.

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Jirik-Babb, P., Geliebter, A. Comparison of psychological characteristics of binging and nonbinging obese, adult, female outpatients. Eat Weight Disord 8, 173–177 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325009

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