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Correlates of binge eating in Hispanic, black, and white women
M L Fitzgibbon1, B Spring, M E Avellone
1Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Objective:
We sought to compare the severity and correlates of binge eating in White, Black, and Hispanic women.
Method:
Our sample consisted of 351 (55 White, 179 Black, and 117 Hispanic) women who were assessed on three proposed factors associated with binge eating (weight, depression, and ideal body image).
Results:
Our results showed that binge eating symptoms were more severe in our sample of Hispanic versus Black or White women. Across all ethnic groups, women who binged more were heavier, more depressed, and preferred a slimmer body ideal. Binge eating severity was predicted by weight and depression in Hispanics and by depression in Whites. None of the proposed factors significantly influenced binge eating in Blacks.
Discussion:
These results show ethnic differences in the correlates of binge eating and highlight the need for further comparative research on aberrant eating patterns.