Prevalence, associations and health outcomes of binge eating in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES – The Netherlands

Aims: To examine the prevalence and health risks of binge eating in people with diabetes. Methods: Self-report data were analysed from a subsample (n = 582 type 1 diabetes/735 type 2 diabetes) of Diabetes MILES – the Netherlands, an online survey. Prevalence of binge eating was compared across diabetes type and treatment and between participants with and without binges for eating styles, diabetes treatment and outcomes, weight, BMI and psychological comorbidity. Associations between binge eating, HbA1c, BMI, diabetes distress were assessed using hierarchical linear regression analyses. Results: 23% (n = 308) of participants reported eating binges, with 16% at least monthly, and 6% at least weekly. Prevalence and frequency of binges did not differ across diabetes type or treatment. People reporting binges scored higher on dietary restraint, emotional and external eating and reported higher weight and BMI than those without binges. Only people with type 1 diabetes and eating binges had a higher HbA1c. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that binge eating was independently associated with higher HbA1c (β = 0.12, p=0.001), BMI (β = 0.13, p < 0.001) but not with diabetes distress. Conclusions: This study found binge eating to be associated with eating styles, BMI and HbA1c. However, our cross-sectional data do not allow for conclusions on causality. Future studies could further examine the directions of these associations and their clinical implications.