Does the size of a binge matter?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine whether objective and subjective binges differ significantly from each other in relation to measures of psychopathology in a sample of women who meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa.

METHOD: Baseline data from the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) were analyzed and the average of the sum of and the difference between objective and subjective binge episodes were converted to z scores. Regressions were run with other baseline measures including the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis of DSM-III-R (SCID) I and II disorders, EDE subscales, and psychological measures.

RESULTS

We found no significant difference between the two types of binges on all but one measure, the "Can Do" subscale of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, in a regression with the z score of total binges.

DISCUSSION: The lack of significant findings questions the diagnostic validity of the "large amount of food" criterion used to define binge eating in the DSM-IV.