Risk factors and patterns of onset in binge eating disorder

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Abstract
Objective: The current study examined risk factors in women with binge eating disorder (BED) who began binging before dieting (binge‐first [BF]) compared with women with BED who began dieting before binging (diet‐first [DF]). It further aimed to replicate findings regarding eating disorder and general psychopathology among BF versus DF subtypes.Method: One hundred fifty‐five women with BED completed the Oxford Risk Factor Interview to retrospectively assess risk factors occurring before eating disturbance onset. Clinical interview assessed eating disorder and general psychopathology.Results: Overall, no significant differences in risk factors emerged between the groups. The BF group had a significantly earlier onset of BED than the DF group. In contradistinction to previous studies, the DF group endorsed more eating disorder psychopathology and lifetime diagnosis of any substance use disorder.Conclusion: Limited support was seen for different risk factors in BF versus DF women, suggesting similar etiologic pathways in both subtypes. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.