A comparison of energy intake and food selection during laboratory binge eating episodes in obese women with and without a binge eating disorder diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to compare energy intake and food selection of laboratory binge eating episodes in obese women with and without binge eating disorder (BED).

METHOD

Twenty women, 12 meeting BED criteria, and 8 BMI and age matched obese controls, engaged in a laboratory binge eating episode.

RESULTS

BED participants consumed significantly more total food in kilocalories than the non-BED obese group and more kilocalories of fat. However, there were no differences between the groups in the proportion of calories from any macronutrient. There was a nonsignificant trend for the BED group to consume more total grams of food. During the binge, the BED group consumed more dairy products.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study confirmed that women with BED consumed significantly more total food in kilocalories than the non-BED obese women when they were allowed to have a binge eating episode in a laboratory setting.