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The prevalence of binge eating and binge eating disorder in adults seeking obesity treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2025

H. Melville
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
N.B. Lister
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
S. Libesman
Affiliation:
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
A.L.L. Seidler
Affiliation:
NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
C. Cheng
Affiliation:
Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Sydney, Nutrition and Dietetics Group, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
J. Kwan
Affiliation:
Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Sydney, Nutrition and Dietetics Group, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
S.P. Garnett
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
L.A. Baur
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
H. Jebeile
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
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Abstract

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Adults living with obesity have a higher risk of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours such as binge eating(1,2). However, the prevalence of disordered eating/eating disorders in adults presenting for obesity treatment is unknown and this information is needed to guide service provision. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of disordered eating/eating disorders in adults presenting for obesity treatment. Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched to March 2024. Eligible studies (k) measured disordered eating/eating disorders in adults with overweight/obesity presenting for obesity treatment and included ≥ 325 participants to ensure a representative sample. Prevalence estimates were synthesised using random effect meta-analysis. 81 studies were included (n = 92,002, 75.9% female, median (IQR) age 44 (6) years, BMI 45 (11) kg/m2. Most studies were conducted in the United States (k = 44) and Italy (k = 15). Most prevalence data related to binge eating disorder or binge eating severity. The pooled prevalence of binge eating disorder, assessed by clinical interview, was 17% (95% CI: 12–22, 95% prediction interval (PI): 0–42, k = 19, n = 13447, τ2 = 0.01) using DSM-IV criteria and 12% (95% CI: 5–20, 95% PI: 0–40, k = 9, n = 7680, τ2 = 0.01) using DSM-V criteria. The pooled prevalence for severe binge eating (Binge Eating Scale score > 25) was 12% (95% CI: 8–16, 95% PI: 0–31, k = 18, n = 12136, τ2 = 0.01). For binge eating disorder, measured by clinical interview, the prevalence range for females and males was 14.9 to 27.0% (k = 12), and 4.0 to 24.1% (k = 3) respectively. For moderate to severe binge eating (Binge Eating Scale score ≥ 18) the prevalence for females and males ranged from 20.0 to 32.8%, and 7.1 to 77.5% (k = 2). Three studies reported prevalence by ethnicity. The prevalence of severe binge eating (Binge Eating Scale scores ≥ 27) was 9.5 to 41.7% in white populations (k = 2), 7.5 to 35.8% in black populations (k = 2), and 5.7% in Hispanic populations (k = 1). One study reported binge eating disorder, assessed by clinical interview, for white, black and Hispanic populations and reported prevalence of 15.3%, 11.3% and 11.4% respectively. Overall, there was high variability in the prevalence of binge eating and binge eating disorder in adults presenting for obesity treatment, with available data indicating prevalence can range up to 42%. It is important to identify which population level factors drive this heterogeneity to inform service provision however, the limited data highlights a significant knowledge gap in the reporting of eating disorders in underrepresented populations which needs to be addressed.

Information

Type
Abstract
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

References

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