Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
04:19
A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Pathological gambling in eating disorders: prevalence and clinical implications
Susana Jiménez-Murcia1, Howard Steiger, Mimi Isräel
1Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, 08907, Spain; Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Comprehensive Psychiatry
|June 14, 2013
Summary
Pathological gambling (PG) is more common in individuals with eating disorders (ED), particularly binge eating disorder. Male sex, higher BMI, and novelty seeking are key predictors of this comorbidity.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pathological gambling (PG) and eating disorders (ED) are distinct conditions that can co-occur.
- Understanding the prevalence and predictors of comorbid PG in ED patients is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the lifetime prevalence of PG in a sample of ED patients.
- To compare ED symptom severity, personality traits, and psychopathological profiles between patients with and without comorbid PG.
- To assess the role of gender in the presentation of comorbid PG.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1681 patients with ED (1576 female, 105 male) were assessed.
- Diagnosis was based on DSM-IV criteria.
- Standardized measures included the Symptom Checklist and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised.
Main Results:
- The lifetime prevalence of PG among ED patients was 1.49%.
- PG was more frequent in binge eating disorder (5.7%) and more prevalent in males (16%) than females (1.26%).
- Patients with comorbid ED and PG showed higher novelty seeking, impulsivity, and lower impulse control. Novelty seeking, male sex, and BMI predicted comorbid PG.
Conclusions:
- Novelty seeking, male sex, and higher BMI are significant predictors of lifetime PG in patients with specific ED subtypes, notably binge eating disorder.
- These findings highlight the importance of screening for PG in individuals diagnosed with ED, particularly those with specific personality traits and demographic factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:27Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...