Effects of Binge Eating on Psychological, Physical Health Among Different Ethnic Groups of Karachi

Objective: To see the effect of binge eating on psychological as well as physical health among the different ethnic groups of Karachi.

Method: The study was attempted to examine the differences of the level of stress, anxiety and physical illness between the Binge eaters and Non-binge eaters. Sample was drawn conveniently from the public and private sector universities and different residential area of Karachi like Lyari, Orangi, Korangi, Landhi, Garden west/east, Gulshan Iqbal, Agra Taj, Rinchorline, PECHS and PIDC. 120 individuals participated between the ages of 18 to 35 year. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was developed. The questions in this scale ask about feelings and thoughts during the last month. Binge Eating Scale is a sixteen-item questionnaire used to assess the presences of binge eating behavior indicative of an eating disorder. It was devised, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) is developed by ACN Group. It is used for assessing physical illness and Short anxiety self-test is developed, which assess anxiety. To find out the differences ANOVA and t-test was calculated through the SPSS 22.0

Result: Of the 120 participants, 60 (50%) were males and 60 (50%) were females. Out of 120 participants there were 31 (25.8%) were binge eater and 89 (74.2) were non binge eater. There were 39 (32.5%) were married and 81 (67.5) were single. There were significant differences on the score of binge eating scale, patient health questionnaire-phq scale and self-anxiety test between binge and non-binge eater but there was a weak significant difference on the score of perceived stress scale. There was a significant difference among the different ethnic groups on binge and non-binge eating.

Conclusion: It is concluded that binge eating effects the psychological as well as physiological health of individual and ethnicity also plays a role in eating behavior.