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Unequivocally large, but not enormous: An examination of the nutritional content of objective and subjective binge-eating episodes using ecological momentary assessment data
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Unequivocally large, but not enormous: An examination of the nutritional content of objective and subjective binge-eating episodes using ecological momentary assessment data

Emily K Presseller, Nikoo Karbassi, Christina Gian and Adrienne S Juarascio
The International journal of eating disorders
22 Jun 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24016
PMID: 37345531
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10592441View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

bulimia nervosa binge-eating disorder macronutrients binge eating caloric content
This study compared the macronutrient profiles of subjective binge-eating episodes (SBEs), objective binge-eating episodes (OBEs), and typical eating episodes. Twenty-one adults with binge eating completed ecological momentary assessment of all eating episodes for 2 weeks, including detailed monitoring of food types and portions. Binge-eating episodes (N = 237) were coded as OBEs (n = 76) or SBEs (n = 161). Calories and macronutrients were computed using manufacturer information and USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. Multilevel regression models compared the eating episode types on caloric and macronutrient content. OBEs contained an average of 121.5 (95.1) g fat, 363.7 (289.1) g carbohydrates, 65.2 (38.2) g protein, 20.9 (16.4) g fiber, and 2856.2 (1869.2) calories. SBEs contained 31.6 (30.5) g fat, 76.5 (54.0) g carbohydrates, 20.5 (21.6) g protein, 5.3 (5.9) g fiber, and 695.1 (505.9) calories. Although OBEs contained significantly more calories and grams of all macronutrients than SBEs (p < .001), the macronutrient proportions of OBEs and SBEs did not differ. The proportions of carbohydrates (p = .005) and protein (p < .001) in SBEs significantly differed from typical eating episodes. Our findings offer preliminary evidence that OBEs and SBEs are more comparable in macronutrient profile than typical eating episodes. The present study compared the calories and grams of macronutrients in objectively large binge-eating episodes, subjectively large binge-eating episodes, and typical meals and snacks. Results suggest that objectively and subjectively large binge-eating episodes demonstrate similar profiles of macronutrients, which are different from the macronutrient profile of meals and snacks. These results may help the eating disorder field better study the impact of subjectively large binge-eating episodes.

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4 citations in Web of Science
4 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

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Web of Science research areas
Nutrition & Dietetics
Psychiatry
Psychology
Psychology, Clinical
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