Binge eating and associated factors among teenagers in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Binge eating means ingesting a large amount of food during a certain period of time, followed by a sensation of lack of control over what and how much has been eaten. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of binge eating episodes and associated factors in teenagers. The cross-sectional study included 1,209 teenagers (14 to 19 years old). Diagnosis of binge eating was based on the revised Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns. The analysis used Poisson regression with a hierarchical approach. Prevalence of binge eating episodes was 24.6% (95% CI: 22.3-27.2), and factors that remained associated were: female gender (HR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.47-2.53); age 15 to 18 (HR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.01-2.37) and age 19 (HR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.15-5.86); alcohol consumption more than 3 times a month (HR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03-2.33); and current weight oscillation (HR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.33-2.31). In conclusion, prevalence of binge eating episodes was high and associated with female gender, age, alcohol consumption, and weight oscillation.