Prevalence and correlates of binge eating in seasonal affective disorder

Abstract

Eating pathology in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be more severe than hyperphagia during winter. Although research has documented elevated rates of subclinical binge eating in women with SAD, the prevalence and correlates of binge eating disorder (BED) in SAD remain largely uncharacterized. We examined the prevalence and correlates of binge eating, weekly binge eating with distress, and BED as defined by the DSM-IV-TR in SAD. We also tested whether binge eating exhibits a seasonal pattern among individuals with BED. Two samples were combined to form a sample of individuals with SAD (N=112). A third sample included non-depressed adults with clinical (n=12) and subclinical (n=11) BED. All participants completed the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised (QEWP-R) and modified Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (M-SPAQ). In the SAD sample, 26.5% reported binge eating, 11.6% met criteria for weekly binge eating with distress, and 8.9% met criteria for BED. Atypical symptom severity predicted binge eating and BED. In the BED sample, 30% endorsed seasonal worsening of mood, and 26% reported a winter pattern of binge eating. The spectrum of eating pathology in SAD includes symptoms of BED, which are associated with atypical depression symptoms, but typical depression symptoms.

Keywords: Affective disorders; Atypical depression; Binge eating disorder; Seasonality.

Figure 1

Study 1: Percentage of participants with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) endorsing “binge most” by month on the Modified Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (M-SPAQ).

Figure 2

Study 2: Percentage of participants with clinical and subclinical binge eating endorsing “binge most” and “feel worst” by month on the Modified Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (M-SPAQ).