Correlates of binge eating with and without overvaluation of weight or shape: further evidence from a general population sample of women

The objective of this work was to further examine the status of the overvaluation of weight/shape in binge-eating disorder (BED) by examining correlates of probable BED with and without overvaluation. Subgroups of women – probable BED with overvaluation (n = 37), probable BED without overvaluation (n = 78), obese individuals who reported no binge eating (‘obese controls’) (n = 194), and normal-weight individuals who reported no binge eating (‘healthy controls’) (n = 573) – recruited from a general population sample, were compared on measures of eating disorder psychopathology, general psychological distress, and psychosocial functioning. Women with probable BED with overvaluation reported significantly higher levels of eating disorder psychopathology and general psychological distress, and significantly poorer psychosocial functioning, than those with probable BED without overvaluation. No significant differences on any outcome measures were found between women with probable BED without overvaluation and obese controls. The findings provide additional evidence for the role of overvaluation in indicating disorder severity among individuals with BED and variants of this disorder. Moreover, it highlights the need for further consideration of the status of overvaluation in relation to BED diagnostic criteria.