[Binge-eating in simple obesity]

Abstract

Binge eating in simple obesity has recently been recognized as a serious clinical problem. In the obese population with binge eating, distinct characteristics have been found by many researchers, such as an early onset of obesity and diet, frequent body weight fluctuation, the amount of time spent dieting, extreme restriction of food intake and an unrealistic ideal of diet. Obese binge eaters also exhibit more psychiatric symptomatology such as distortion of body image, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, a high level of depression, strong perfectionism, high impulsivity and comorbidity of personality disorders, especially a borderline personality disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are promising for treatment of obese binge eaters. Supportive psychotherapy will add some help by ameliorating psychological distress.