Childhood sexual abuse and precursors of binge eating in an adolescent female population.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the cross-sectional association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and self-reported binge eating in an adolescent female population.

METHODS

Study subjects were recruited from clinics specializing in the treatment of CSA, and control subjects were from high schools in the same cities. Height and weight were measured and subjects completed four questionnaires pertaining to binge eating, depression, locus of control, and self-esteem.

RESULTS

Study subjects showed significantly higher depression, external locus of control, and binge eating, and significantly lower self-esteem and weight satisfaction scores than did control subjects. After adjusting for all covariables simultaneously, CSA was not an independent correlate of binge eating score. The strongest correlates of binge eating score in the multivariable analysis were depression, body mass index (BMI), and weight satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological factors such as depression or weight satisfaction were more influential than is sexual abuse per se in the relationship between CSA and eating disorders.