[The influence of diet behavior and stress on binge-eating among female college students].

This study of 241 female college students examined the relationship among binge-eating, dieting, and stress, assessed at two different times. The results of path analysis showed significant paths both from binge-eating to dieting and from dieting to binge-eating were significant. In other words, binge-eating often results in dieting, and dieting often results in binge-eating, which becomes a vicious circle. The path from stress to binge-eating was significant, but not the path from binge-eating as a way of coping.