Perfectionism in women with binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined self-oriented (SOP), socially prescribed (SPP), and other-oriented (OOP) perfectionism in 127 obese women with binge eating disorder (BED). METHOD: Relationships between eating disorder and general psychopathology variables and SOP, SPP, and OOP were assessed. Levels of SOP, SPP, and OOP in the BED sample were compared with those of 32 normal weight women with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 60 obese non-eating-disordered individuals (NED). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test models of the maintenance of BED. RESULTS: Only SPP was significantly associated with eating disorder variables related to BED. All three groups demonstrated similar levels of SPP and OOP. BN and BED groups scored significantly higher than the NED group on SOP only. SEM resulted in two models with good fits. DISCUSSION: Further research is needed on the roles of SPP and SOP in BED and on weight and shape overconcern in BED maintenance models.

Does the size of a binge matter?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether objective and subjective binges differ significantly from each other in relation to measures of psychopathology in a sample of women who meet DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. METHOD: Baseline data from the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) were analyzed and the average of the sum of and the difference between objective and subjective binge episodes were converted to z scores. Regressions were run with other baseline measures including the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis of DSM-III-R (SCID) I and II disorders, EDE subscales, and psychological measures. RESULTS: We found no significant difference between the two types of binges on all but one measure, the "Can Do" subscale of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, in a regression with the z score of total binges. DISCUSSION: The lack of significant findings questions the diagnostic validity of the "large amount of food" criterion used to define binge eating in the DSM-IV.

Obese women with binge eating disorder define the term binge.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the criteria used by women with binge eating disorder (BED) to classify an eating episode a binge. METHOD: Sixty women who met DSM-IV research criteria for BED were interviewed and asked to define binge eating in their own words. Two independent raters classified subjects' responses according to a structured classification scheme. RESULTS: Loss of control over eating was the only criterion used to define binge eating by a majority (82%) of our subjects. Large amount of food and eating to relieve negative affect were reported less frequently, but appeared to be important criteria. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study are important to consider in an evaluation of the proposed DSM-IV research criteria for BED.

Subjective or objective binge: is the distinction valid?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the distinction between objective and subjective binge episodes. METHOD: Data were analyzed from 101 women who received 12 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for binge eating in a previous treatment study. Binges recorded by participants on daily food records were rated as either subjective or objective according to the Eating Disorder Examination rating guidelines. Unpaired t tests were performed to determine the relationship between type of binge, psychopathology, and other descriptive measures, including response to treatment. RESULTS: These analyses revealed no significant differences between types of binge episodes. Of note is the observation that objective binge episodes appeared to decrease more rapidly than subjective episodes during treatment. DISCUSSION: Future research should continue to investigate whether "large amount of food" is an appropriate criterion for the diagnosis of binge eating.

Monocular acuity norms for the Teller Acuity Cards between ages one month and four years.

PURPOSE: To derive norms for monocular grating acuity and interocular acuity differences that are appropriate for clinical applications using the acuity card procedure (ACP) and Teller Acuity Cards (TAC). METHODS: Monocular acuities were measured in 460 children in 12 age groups between 1 month and 4 years. Inclusion criteria were term birth, good general health and normal development, normal eyes, and cycloplegic refraction within specific limits. Each child was tested by two ACP testers who were aware of TAC spatial frequency but not grating location during testing. RESULTS: Three monocular tests were completed in the first session in 99% of children. Median time to complete the tests of both eyes ranged from 3.2 to 8.4 minutes. Monocular acuity norms were calculated using 95% and 99% prediction limits. The new norms spanned higher spatial frequencies than the preliminary ACP norms between ages 1 month and 18 months but were similar between 24 and 36 months. The lower normal 2.5% limits were similar to lower limits of other normative studies. The interocular acuity difference was zero or 0.5 octave in 99% of subjects of all ages. Acuities obtained by the same tester on different days and by different testers on the same day were within 0.5 octave in at least 90% of subjects, comparable to previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides monocular acuity norms that are appropriate for clinical settings in which the ACP and TAC are used and should replace the preliminary ACP norms.