Abuse, Bullying, and Discrimination as Risk Factors for Binge Eating Disorder

Ruth H. Striegel-Moore, Faith-Anne Dohm, Kathleen M. Pike, Denise E. Wilfley, Christopher G. Fairburn
2002 American Journal of Psychiatry  
Objective: This study examined whether sexual and physical abuse, bullying by peers, and ethnicity-based discrimination are associated with an increased risk for developing binge eating disorder in black women and in white women and whether any increase in risk is specific for the development of binge eating disorder. Method: A community sample of 162 women with binge eating disorder and 251 healthy and 107 psychiatric comparison subjects was interviewed for exposure to the risk factors under
more » ... vestigation. Results: White subjects with binge eating disorder reported significantly higher rates of sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying by peers, and discrimination than healthy comparison subjects. Only rates of discrim-
doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.159.11.1902 pmid:12411226 fatcat:7b2cjvdc6vh3tfggkw7gfekcbi