Nocturnal eating but not binge eating disorder is related to less 12 months' weight loss in men and women with severe obesity: A retrospective cohort study

There is a paucity of studies on the frequency of binge‐eating disorder (BED) and nocturnal eating (NE) and their potential role as barriers in non‐surgical weight loss treatment in subjects with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥35 kg m(2)). The aim was to identify BED and NE, and their effect on weight loss treatment. In total, 1132 (727 women, 405 men), BMI ~41 kg/m(2) were patients in a 12‐month weight loss programme at a specialist clinic. The questionnaire for eating and weight patterns‐revised was completed by the patients before start of treatment. BED was diagnosed in 5.1% of men and 12.4% of women. NE prevalence was 13.5% and 12.7%, respectively. Mean (±SEM) 12‐month weight loss was less in patients with NE compared to those without (−11.0 ± 1.5 vs –14.6 ± 0.7 kg, P = .008) but did not differ in patients with and without BED, (−12.3 ± 1.9 vs –14.2 ± 0.6 kg, P = .24). Factors associated with dropout were BED (odds ratio, OR 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14‐2.17; P = .006) and previous weight loss attempts (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.0‐1.7; P = .02). BED did not seem to hinder weight loss whereas NE resulted in less weight loss in patients with severe obesity who completed a 12‐month treatment programme. Previous weight loss attempts affect both dropout and ability to lose weight.