Objective: To investigate the relationship between reasons for weight loss and previous dieting attempts and current binge-eating episodes in overweight and obese individuals.
Method: For the n = 355 interviewees of a representative sample of Swiss inhabitants (n = 1,000) reporting a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25, the Weight Loss Motivation Questionnaire--distinguishing between the three scales: health, appearance in relation to oneself, and appearance in relation to others--was assessed. Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and the partial correlation coefficient controlling for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and BMI were calculated.
Results: Number of previous diets was significantly correlated with all three subscales, whereas presence of binge-eating episodes was only significantly correlated with appearance in relation to oneself.
Discussion: Dieting and binge-eating behavior are differently associated with reasons for weight loss; better matching of treatments to patients' individual needs might improve the high dropout rates observed in weight loss treatments and enhance weight loss success.
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