Megan Roehrig

The Metabolic Syndrome and Behavioral Correlates in Obese Patients With Binge Eating Disorder

This study examined the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and explored behavioral eating‐ and weight‐related correlates in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Ninety‐three treatment‐seeking obese BED patients (22 men and 71 women) with and without the MetSyn were compared on demographic features and a number of current and historical eating and weight variables. Sixty percent of the obese patients with BED met criteria for the MetSyn, with men and whites having significantly higher rates than women and African Americans, respectively. Patients with vs. without coexisting MetSyn did not differ significantly in self‐reported frequency of binge eating or severity of eating disorder psychopathology. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that, after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and BMI, fewer episodes of weight cycling and regular meal skipping were significant predictors of the MetSyn. These findings suggest that lifestyle behaviors including weight loss attempts and regular meal consumption may be potential targets for prevention and/or treatment of the MetSyn in obese patients with BED.

Dieting Frequency in Obese Patients With Binge Eating Disorder: Behavioral and Metabolic Correlates

This study examined the clinical significance of self‐reported frequency of time spent dieting in obese patients with binge eating disorder (BED). A total of 207 treatment‐seeking obese BED patients (57 men and 150 women) were dichotomized by dieting frequency and gender and compared on a number of historical, psychological, and metabolic variables. Frequent dieters reported significantly earlier age of onset for binge eating, dieting, and obesity, more episodes of weight cycling, greater weight suppression, and greater eating disorder pathology than infrequent dieters; no differences, however, emerged on current binge eating frequency or psychological distress. Among women but not among men, frequent dieters had consistently lower chances of abnormalities in total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio while infrequent dieters had greater chances of abnormalities on these variables. Dietary restraint was inversely correlated with abnormalities in triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio but was unrelated to low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In summary, frequent dieters of both genders had greater lifetime and current eating and weight concerns, and in women, decreased chance of metabolic abnormalities than infrequent dieters. Our findings suggest that frequent dieting attempts, particularly in women, are associated with greater eating disorder pathology but may have a beneficial effect on metabolic functioning and cardiovascular disease risk independent of actual weight status. These findings may have implications for clinical advice provided to obese BED patients.

Chronic Dieting Among Extremely Obese Bariatric Surgery Candidates

BackgroundExtremely obese bariatric surgery candidates report numerous episodes of both successful and unsuccessful dieting attempts, but little is known about the clinical significance of frequent dieting attempts in this patient group.MethodsThe current study examined psychological and weight-related correlates of self-reported dieting frequency in 219 bariatric surgery candidates (29 men and 190 women). Prior to surgery, patients completed a battery of established self-report assessments. Patients were dichotomized into chronic dieters (n = 109) and intermittent dieters (n = 110) based on a median split of self-reported percent time spent dieting during adulthood. The two dieting groups were compared on demographics, eating and weight history, eating disorder psychopathology, and global functioning.ResultsChronic dieters had significantly lower pre-operative body mass indexes (BMIs), lower highest-ever BMIs, more episodes of weight cycling, and earlier ages of onset for overweight and dieting than intermittent dieters. After controlling for differences in BMI, chronic dieters were found to have statistically but not clinically significant elevations in eating concerns, dietary restraint, and body dissatisfaction than infrequent dieters. The two groups, however, did not differ significantly on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, or health-related quality of life; nor did they differ in binge-eating status.ConclusionsChronic dieting is commonly reported among extremely obese bariatric candidates and is not associated with poorer psychological functioning or binge eating and may be beneficial in attenuating even greater weight gain. Our findings provide preliminary data to suggest that requiring additional presurgical weight loss attempts may not be warranted for the vast majority of extremely obese bariatric candidates.

Compensatory eating disorder behaviors and gastric bypass surgery outcome

OBJECTIVE This study prospectively examined the role of compensatory eating disorder behavior on gastric bypass (GB) surgery weight-loss outcome. METHOD The compensatory behaviors of 199 GB patients were evaluated presurgically using the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns. Hierarchical linear regression was used to assess the presence of compensatory behavior on 6-month postsurgery body mass index (BMI), and 1-year postsurgery BMI, controlling for age, sex, race, age becoming overweight, number of weeks postsurgery, and presurgery BMI. RESULTS The presence of presurgery compensatory behavior emerged as a small but significant predictor of lower BMI 6-months postsurgery although not at 1-year postsurgery. Other common predictors for lower BMI at 6-months and 1-year postsurgery were lower presurgery BMI and greater number of weeks postsurgery. Female sex also predicted lower BMI 1-year postsurgery. DISCUSSION These results must be taken with caution as they contradict clinical guidelines. Future research is needed to replicate these findings.

Tanning: Natural and Artificial

Outdoor and indoor tanning behaviors have been linked with high rates of skin cancer and melanoma. Recent conceptual models have included appearance-based motives and body image issues as variables that appear to be linked to the engagement of these health at-risk activities. The current article provides a broad overview of theoretical models, measurement approaches are also examined, and new and emerging treatment strategies based on the body image prevention literature are offered. An integration of body image theory, measurement, and treatment may be useful in attempts to modify the health risk behaviors of outdoor and indoor tanning.