Eating patterns in patients with spectrum binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE We sought to describe meal and snack frequencies of individuals with recurrent binge eating and examine the association between these eating patterns and clinical correlates. METHOD Data from 106 women with a minimum diagnosis of recurrent binge eating were used. Meal and snack frequencies were correlated with measures of weight, eating disorder features, and depression. Participants who ate breakfast every day (n = 25) were compared with those who did not (n = 81) on the same measures. RESULTS Breakfast was the least, and dinner the most, commonly consumed meal. Evening snacking was the most common snacking occasion. Meal patterns were not significantly associated with clinical correlates; however, evening snacking was associated with binge eating. DISCUSSION Our findings largely replicated those reported in earlier research. More research is needed to determine the role of breakfast consumption in binge eating.