Objective: To compare the microstructural eating behavior of obese patients with and without binge eating disorder (BED) after stress induction in laboratory.
Method: Forty-eight obese women were investigated. Seventeen were assigned to the group of BED. Group (BED vs. non-BED) by condition (stress vs. no stress) interaction effect on feeding variables, measured by a universal eating monitor, was tested. Stress was induced by the trier social stress test (TSST) and chocolate pudding served as laboratory food.
Results: From the nonstress to the stress condition, patients with BED, when compared with non-BED had a greater increase in average eating rate (p < .01) and a corresponding greater increase in the frequency of spoonfuls (p < .02). The BED group also showed a different change in acceleration/deceleration from the nonstress to the stress condition compared to the non-BED group (p < .04).
Discussion: Obese individuals with BED appear to exhibit a different response to stress than obese non-BED individuals and individuals with bulimia nervosa.