[Binge eating disorder and obesity: Epidemiological, clinical and psychopathological aspects. A study of an obese population in Sfax (Tunisia)].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) in a population of obese patients, to appreciate the impact of obesity on BED through a comparison between the obese group and a control group, and to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life in obese patients with BED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 60 obese patients and 60 controls. BED was diagnosed using the Binge Eating Scale. Quality of life was assessed by the Quality Of Life, Obesity and Dietetics Scale, and depression and anxiety symptoms by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
RESULTS: The obese group had a higher prevalence of BED than the control group (40% versus 8.3%; p < 0.001; OR = 3.5). The average score of BES was also higher (p < 0.001). Obese patients with BED were younger (p = 0.034). BED was correlated with an early onset of obesity (p = 0.01; OR = 1.12), depression (p = 0.002), anxiety (p = 0.008) and a poorer quality of life.
CONCLUSION: This study confirms the relationship between obesity and BED, which is correlated with a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and with a poorer quality of life.