Associations among binge eating behavior patterns and gastrointestinal symptoms: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Psychological symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED) are known, but physical symptoms are less understood.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like heartburn and diarrhea are common in obesity but lack clear explanations.
• Patients with bulimia exhibit increased gastric capacity, suggesting a link between eating disorders and GI function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the severity of binge eating episodes and the occurrence of upper and lower GI symptoms.
• To determine if BED is independently linked to specific GI complaints in a general population sample.

Main Methods:

• A population-based survey using mailed questionnaires assessed GI symptoms and binge eating frequency.
• Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between GI symptoms and BED, adjusting for covariates.
• Key adjustments included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level.

Main Results:

• Binge eating disorder (BED) was identified in 6.1% of the 4096 subjects surveyed.
• BED was independently associated with multiple upper GI symptoms, including acid regurgitation, heartburn, dysphagia, bloating, and upper abdominal pain (all P<0.001).
• BED was also significantly associated with lower GI symptoms: diarrhea (P<0.001), urgency (P<0.001), constipation (P<0.01), and anal blockage (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

• Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with both upper and lower GI symptoms in the general population, independent of obesity.
• The findings suggest a significant link between BED and a wide range of gastrointestinal distress.
• Further investigation into the physiological responses to food intake in BED patients is warranted.