Objective This study assessed the utility of the Binge Eating Scale (BES) as a measure of binge eating disorder (BED) in patients seeking bariatric surgery by a) determining the optimal BES cut-score for predicting BED, b) calculating concordance statistics, and c) determining the predictive value of each BES item. Method 480 patients presented for a psychological evaluation prior to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The BES and the SCID semi-structured interview for BED were administered. Results ROC curve analyses identified an optimal BES cut-score of 17, which correctly classified 78% of patients with BED. A cut-score of 27 improved this statistic, but increased the number of false negatives. Discriminant function analyses revealed that nearly all BES items significantly predicted BED. Discussion The BES is a valid screener of BED in a bariatric surgery seeking population. Clarifying the screening process for binge eating can help improve the assessment and treatment of patients presenting for bariatric surgery.

Background Screening for binge eating prior to bariatric surgery is a component of recommended clinical practice for bariatric surgery candidates. The Binge Eating Scale (BES) is one of the most commonly used self-report measures of eating behaviors in pre-surgical evaluations, yet the factor structure of this measure has not been evaluated in this population. Objectives The aims of this study were to report the means, standard deviations, and reliability of the BES for patients seeking bariatric surgery; to evaluate the two-factor structure of the BES using confirmatory factor analysis; and to investigate the association between the BES and its factors with surgical weight loss. Setting Academic Medical Center. Methods 530 patients completed the BES as a component of their psychological evaluation prior to undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Results Approximately one-third of patients reported at least mild to moderate binge eating, with 9% of patients reporting severe binge eating on the BES. The BES demonstrated good internal consistency. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a two-factor structure, consisting of Feelings/Cognitions related to binge eating and Behavioral manifestations of binge eating, was the best fit to the data. Non-significant correlations were found between the BES and its two factors with short-term post-surgical weight loss. Conclusions The BES measures two aspects of binge eating in bariatric surgery candidates, feelings/cognitions and behavioral manifestations of binge eating. Consideration of these factors in patients presenting for bariatric surgery may allow for a more detailed understanding of binge eating in this population.

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