Comparison of exercise and sports characteristics between binge-eating and healthy people

Abstract

The present study compared exercise and sports characteristics between subjects with Binge Eating Disorder (BD) classification and a health group without binge eating. A randomized sample of 111 participants (23.1± 7.6 yrs.; 1.6± 0.6 m; 77.0± 16.9 kg) were classified and separated according BD classification (non-binging= 47; moderate binging n= 30; severe binging n= 40). For this, the BD Scale, Self-perceived Performance Scale, and a Demographic Questionnaire obtained classifications about BD and characteristics of exercise and sports practices. Analysis indicated that the Body Mass Index (BMI) was different between groups (p≤ 0.001). Non-binging, with 22.5± 5.1 index, presented lower values than severe binging, with 27.4± 4.9 index and moderate, binging, with 28.1± 8.2 index, while severe binging, with 6 (2; 6) hours/training, had a longer time than moderate, with 4 (2; 6) hours and non-binging groups, with 3 (2; 6) hours/training. With a 3 (2.5; 3) score, the severe binging group presented lower motor control performance than the non-binging with a 3 (3; 4) score. Thus, coaches and psychologists can develop strategies for specific eating disorders, considering present important factors in sports psychology to reduce BD and compensatory strategies.