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Influence of race, gender, and socioeconomic status on binge eating frequency in a population‐based sample
Author(s) -
Reagan Patricia,
Hersch Joni
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20177
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , binge eating , race (biology) , psychology , sample (material) , demography , population , developmental psychology , eating disorders , clinical psychology , sociology , gender studies , chemistry , chromatography
Objective This study investigates race and gender differences in the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of frequency of binge eating using a population‐based sample. Method An analysis of self‐reported data on 573 women and 360 men (range, 18–97 years) from a cross‐sectional, multistage area probability sample of individuals aged 18 years and older residing in the Detroit metropolitan area conducted in 1995. Results For women, the frequency of binge eating is negatively associated with age and family income, and positively associated with being married, depression, and time residing in polluted neighborhoods. For men, the frequency of binge eating is negatively associated with age. The frequency of binge eating was not affected by education, race, obesity, or current dieting. Conclusion The frequency of binge eating is highest among adults younger than 40 years. It follows an income gradient for women, but not for men. After controls for individual disadvantage, there is no residual Black/White difference in binge eating. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.