Nibbling and picking in obese patients with Binge Eating Disorder

Eat Behav. 2013 Dec;14(4):424-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Jul 21.

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the clinical utility of nibbling behavior, defined as eating in an unplanned and repetitious manner between meals and snacks without a sense of loss of control, in obese patients with Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

Methods: Two-hundred seventeen (N = 217) consecutive, treatment-seeking, obese patients with BED were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE). Nibbling frequency was examined in relation to current weight, eating disorder psychopathology and eating patterns.

Results: Results found that nibbling/picking was not related to body mass index, objective bulimic, subjective bulimic, or overeating episodes, food avoidance, sensitivity to weight gain, or any subscales of the EDE. However, nibbling/picking was significantly related to frequency of morning and afternoon snacking (r = .21, p = .002; r = .27, p < .001).

Discussion: The assessment of nibbling/picking behaviors among individuals with BED might not provide clinically significant information.

Keywords: Binge eating disorder; Eating behaviors; Nibbling; Picking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Binge-Eating Disorder / psychology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bulimia
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperphagia
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / psychology*
  • Snacks / psychology*
  • Weight Gain
  • Young Adult