Gender comparisons in psychological characteristics of obese, binge eaters.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences between male and female, obese binge eaters in levels of depression, anxiety and self-esteem. In addition, to make comparisons in these psychological characteristics, for both genders, between obese, binge eaters and obese nonbingers.

METHOD

Participants consisted of 48 female (26 binge eaters and 22 nonbingers) and 13 male (4 binge eaters and 9 nonbingers) outpatients in a hospital weight-loss program. Participants completed the following: Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns--Revised, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory.

RESULTS

Females had a significantly higher level of depression (p<0.003) than males. No other significant gender differences were found. However significant differences between binge eaters and nonbingers were found, for both genders, in depression (p<0.0001) and anxiety (p<0.008) with the binge eaters having higher scores than the nonbingers, and in self-esteem (p<0.0001) with the binge eaters having lower scores than the nonbingers.

CONCLUSION

Females have higher levels of depression compared to males, but no gender differences were found in anxiety or self-esteem. In both genders, binge eaters have higher levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of self-esteem compared to nonbingers.