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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Study Associates Childhood Abuse with Binge Eating Disorder

People who suffer from binge eating disorders are more likely to have histories of childhood sexual or emotional abuse, according to a new study from McGill University in Canada.

  • Binge eating disorder is characterized by uncontrollable episodes of overeating, followed by feelings of shame, guilt, and depression.
  • As many as 2 percent of Americans have the disorder, and it is twice as common among women than men.
  • Dr. Daniel Dunkley and his colleagues studied 170 people with binge eating disorder.
  • The researchers found that those who have the most severe symptoms of body dissatisfaction and depression also had specific histories of childhood and sexual abuse, leading to self criticism.

"We looked at alternative theories, like childhood emotional abuse leading to depression, which leads to body dissatisfaction and self-criticism," Dr. Dunkley said. "But it doesn't seem to work that way. Self-criticism is the mediator."

This study appears in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
 

Labels: binge eating, abuse

Posted By: Eating Disorders Help Guide

Comments:

Chelsea on 11/30/2010
I grew up in a volatile home with arguing parents and a brother who emotionally abused me. I developed an eating disorder as a child, with binge eating being the primary behavior. It's important that people recognize the damage that can be done to kids. It's also important for these kids to seek help as adults in order to stop the cycle.