Bulimia: multivariate predictors of life impairment.

The current study investigated the ability to predict life impairment in a group of women who reported frequent binge eating episodes. Results indicated that a combination of feeling out of control when binge eating, frequent binge episodes, frequent use of laxatives for weight control, plus early age at onset, guilt feelings after binging, and a history of low weight best predicted life impairment. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to refining DSM-III criteria for bulimia.