Binge eating as a weight loss obstacle

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania has found that those who binge eat whilst they are trying to lose weight, drop around half as much as those who do not, these findings have been published in Obesity. In order to assess the role of binge eating, and how addictive behaviours affect treatment for a variety of populations, the researchers used data from over 5,000 overweight and obese patients as part of a multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Over the course of the trial, the participants noted any instances of consumption of excess food resulting from a feeling of lack of control, and these were recorded on questionnaires.

The researchers found that at four years participants that reported no binge eating, or a reduced tendency to do so, lost more weight (4.6% of initial body weight) than those who did binge eat (1.9%). In light of these findings, the authors have suggested that behavioural therapies might benefit those that binge eat if they are trying to lose weight and would be effective in conjunction with established weight loss interventions. Further to this, they proposed that binge eating tendencies should be monitored throughout weight loss periods, so that individuals can benefit from a more targeted approach.