Title: The effects of a very low calorie diet on binge eating
Abstract: Obese female subjects entering a combined Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) and behavioral weight loss program were identified at baseline as either binge eater or nonbinge eater. The self-reported frequency of binge eating episodes was assessed during treatment and 3 months following treatment termination to determine the effects of the diet program on binge eating. The results suggested that this dieting regime impacted binge eating, with the most dramatic effect occurring once the VLCD ended and subjects were reintroduced to food. Post-VLCD, 30% of subjects identified at baseline as non-binge eaters reported binge eating episodes. At the end of the behavioral weight loss program, 62% of non-binge eaters reported binge eating episodes. However, the effects on binge eating appeared to be limited primarily to the period of dieting, with binge eating episodes decreasing 3 months following the termination of treatment. The results are discussed in terms of the need for increased attention in weight loss programs to the potential effects of dieting on binge eating.