Prab at 14:03, 10 September 2023

2023-09-10T14:03:17Z

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The '''Binge Eating Scale''' (BES) is a sixteen-item questionnaire developed to evaluate the presence and severity of binge eating behaviors that may be indicative of an [[eating disorder]]s such as [[binge eating disorder]]. Devised in 1982 by J. Gormally and colleagues, the BES was specifically designed for application with obese individuals. It delves into both the behavioral attributes of binge eating, like the quantity of food consumed, and the emotional and cognitive responses to such behaviors, including feelings of guilt or shame.

==Background==
The phenomenon of binge eating, characterized by episodes of excessive and uncontrollable food consumption, has long been associated with various eating disorders. Recognizing the significance of assessing binge eating patterns, especially among obese individuals, J. Gormally et al. set forth to create the BES. The scale's questions take into account the complexity of binge eating, from the physical act to the psychological aftermath.

==Questionnaire Structure==
The BES consists of sixteen questions, each aimed at understanding both the behavioral and emotional components of binge eating. The following are the questions included in the scale:

# How frequently do you consume food in a short time period (e.g., within two hours) that is significantly larger than what most people would eat during a similar period of time under similar circumstances?
# Do you have a feeling of lack of control over your eating during these episodes (e.g., a feeling that you cannot stop eating)?
# How often do you eat until you feel uncomfortably full?
# How frequently do you eat large amounts of food when you're not physically hungry?
# How often do you eat alone due to being embarrassed by the quantity of food you consume?
# How frequently do you feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating?
# How often do you consume food rapidly during binge episodes?
# How often do you consume food secretly?
# How frequently does emotional distress lead you to eat large quantities of food?
# How often do you attempt to compensate for eating too much by dieting, fasting, or exercising excessively?
# How frequently do you avoid certain foods for fear of triggering a binge episode?
# How often do you feel distressed about your eating patterns?
# After consuming sweets or high-calorie snacks, how do you usually feel?
# How frequently do you find yourself thinking about binge eating?
# How often do you feel you cannot control your eating?
# How do you usually feel after an episode of binge eating?

Each question has 3-4 unique responses that are assigned a specific numerical value.

==Scoring==
Scores on the BES can range from 0 to 46. Based on the total score achieved, individuals can be categorized into:

* '''Non-binging''': Score less than 17
* '''Moderate binging''': Scores between 18 and 26
* '''Severe binging''': Scores of 27 and greater

==Evidence and Validation==
Over the years, the Binge Eating Scale has been subjected to numerous studies to ascertain its reliability and validity. Research has consistently demonstrated that the BES exhibits:

* '''High internal consistency''': Indicating that the questions within the scale measure the same construct.
* '''Concurrent validity''': Demonstrated by the BES's correlation with other established measures of binge eating.
* '''Clinical relevance''': The scale's ability to differentiate between clinical groups, especially distinguishing between obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder.

==See Also==
* [[Eating Disorders]]
* [[Binge Eating Disorder]]
* [[Obesity]]
* [[Self-report inventory]]

==References==
<references/>
* Gormally, J., Black, S., Daston, S., & Rardin, D. (1982). The assessment of binge eating severity among obese persons. ''Addictive Behaviors'', 7(1), 47-55.

[[Category:Psychological tests]]
[[Category:Eating disorders]]
[[Category:Clinical psychology]]

==External links==
* [http://psychology-tools.com/binge-eating-scale/ Binge Eating Scale] - Online Questionnaire
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[[Category:Clinical psychology tests]]
[[Category:Eating disorders]]
[[Category:Psychiatric assessment]]
[[Category:Psychological testing]]
[[Category:Psychological tools]]
[[Category:Eating disorders screening and assessment tools]]

Binge Eating Scale - Revision history

Prab at 14:03, 10 September 2023