Determinants of binge eating symptoms in children with overweight and obesity"

Background: Binge eating symptoms may be early signs of an eating disorder in children with overweight and obesity. Methods: We examined the prevalence and multi-level determinants of three binge eating symptoms: (1) sneaking, hiding, or hoarding food; (2) eating large amounts in the absence of hunger; and (3) being inhibited or embarrassed when eating in front of others in 816 children ages 5-12 years old with a BMI 2'.85th percentile. We surveyed parents regarding each of the three symptoms above and examined the associations of parent andchild characteristics andchild behavior with the odds of parent-reported binge eating symptoms. Resultl: 33% children were reported to sneak, hide, or hoard food; 40% ate large amounts in the absence of hunger; and 8% were inhibited/embarrased when eating in front of others. In multivariate analyses, sneaking, hiding or hoarding food was less likely among children whose parents were not US born (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.98). Eating in the absence of hunger was positively associated with severe obesity (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.52, 3.29) and screen time (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.18) but negatively associated with sleep duration (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.95), hours of physical activity (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.98) and parent birth outside the US (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.87). Older age (OR: 1.41; 95%CI: 1.19, 1.67) was the only determinant of inhibition/embarrassment while eating in front of others. Conclnsions: Binge eating symptoms areprevalent among children with overweight and obesity and are associated with modifiable behaviors including sleep, screen time, and physical activity.