Burned out binge eaters: a preliminary investigation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare individuals who meet all the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder (BED), except loss of control, to individuals with BED and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) on weight history variables.

Method: Subjects were solicited among new participants in weight loss programs, with 35 meeting BED criteria, 47 meeting criteria for EDNOS, and 6 meeting criteria for BED without loss of control.

Results: Groups were not found to differ on age of onset of overweight or dieting, age of first binge, rate of largest weight loss, or number of times of losing 10 + lb. Groups did differ on highest weight ever and current body mass index (BMI). Subjects with BED without loss of control had a significantly higher highest weight and current BMI than both BED and EDNOS subjects.

Discussion: The results suggest that individuals reporting all the symptoms of BED except loss of control may be "former" BEDs who have "given up" on efforts to control their binge eating.