A comparison of quality of life in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder

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Abstract
Objective This study investigates whether binge eating disorder (BED) in obese individuals is associated with a greater degree of impairment in quality of life (QOL) than obesity alone. Method Treatment‐seeking obese individuals with and without BED were compared on QOL scores using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL‐Lite) questionnaire. Results With the exception of the Physical Function subscale, obese individuals with BED scored significantly higher than non‐BED participants on each of the subscales and on the total scale of the IWQOL‐Lite. For all participants, body mass index (BMI) was related significantly to scores on the Physical Function and Public Distress subscales of the IWQOL‐Lite. Discussion Obese individuals with BED have impaired functioning on psychosocial aspects of QOL in addition to poorer physical functioning associated with obesity. These findings underscore the pervasive impact of BED in obese individuals, as BED is associated with more impairment than obesity alone. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.