Affect and Cognitions in Obese Binge Eaters and Nonbinge Eaters: The Association Between Depression, Anxiety, and Bulimic Cognitions

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Abstract
Levels of depression, anxiety, and related cognitions; cognitions associated with the bulimia syndrome; and cognitions concerning eating and dieting were compared for 25 obese binge eaters and 27 obese nonbinge eaters at a private weight reduction center. Obese bingers demonstrated higher levels of anxiety, depression, and related cognitions than nonbingers. Obese bingers also reported more dysfunctional cognitions related to the bulimia syndrome generally and to dieting and eating behaviors. Further, maladaptive cognitions related to bulimia and eating and dieting continued to discriminate between obese bingers and nonbingers when levels of depression and anxiety were statistically controlled, whereas differences in dysphoric and anxiety-related cognitions were eliminated under these conditions. The results suggest that cognitions related to bulimia and dysfunctional dieting and eating