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High‐frequency binge eating predicts weight gain among veterans receiving behavioral weight loss treatments
Author(s) -
Masheb Robin M.,
Lutes Lesley D.,
Myra Kim Hyungjin,
Holleman Robert G.,
Goodrich David E.,
Janney Carol A.,
Kirsh Susan,
Richardson Caroline R.,
Damschroder Laura J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20931
Subject(s) - binge eating , weight loss , weight gain , medicine , healthy eating , body weight , clinical psychology , obesity , physical activity , physical therapy
Objective To assess for the frequency of binge eating behavior and its association with weight loss in an overweight/obese sample of veterans. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of data from the ASPIRE study, a randomized effectiveness trial of weight loss among veterans. Of the 481 enrolled veterans with overweight/obesity, binge eating frequency was obtained by survey for 392 (82%). Results The majority (77.6%) reported binge eating, and 6.1% reported high‐frequency binge eating. Those reporting any binge eating lost 1.4% of body weight, decreased waist circumference by 2.0 cm, and had significantly worse outcomes than those reporting never binge eating who lost about double the weight (2.7%) and reduced waist circumference by twice as much (4.2 cm). The high‐frequency binge group gained 1.4% of body weight and increased waist circumference by 0.3 cm. Conclusions High rates of binge eating were observed in an overweight/obese sample of veterans enrolled in weight loss treatment. The presence of binge eating predicted poorer weight loss outcomes. Furthermore, high‐frequency binge eating was associated with weight gain. These findings have operational and policy implications for developing effective strategies to address binge eating in the context of behavioral weight loss programs for veterans.