Exploring Binge Eating Pathology and the Potential Contribution of Shape Concerns in Female Zimbawean Students

Abstract

Background Eating disorders (EDs), including binge eating disorder (BED), are serious mental health conditions increasingly observed in non-Western contexts. Research on binge eating pathology in Southern Africa is sorely lacking. Cultural transitions and shifting body ideals may increase shape concerns among Zimbabwean females, potentially contributing to the development of disordered eating behaviors. This study investigates binge eating cognitions and behaviors and their association with shape concerns in a Zimbabwean female sample. Specifically, it is hypothesized that more shape concerns are associated to more binge eating cognitions and behaviors.

Methods This cross-sectional study involved 57 Zimbabwean female university students who completed the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE-Q) questionnaire online. Before testing the study’s hypotheses, exploratory factory analyses examined the EDE-Q’s structure in this context. Frequency analyses assessed binge eating behaviors and cognitions. Linear regressions tested associations between shape concerns and binge eating.

Results Exploratory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure explaining 63.19% of variance. While most women reported minimal binge symptoms, a subset showed frequent cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Shape concerns were significantly associated with binge-related cognitions and behaviors, but not to objective binge episodes.

Discussion and Conclusion In line with global findings, most participants reported few binge eating symptoms, but a minority reported frequent cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Greater shape concerns were associated with more frequent fear of losing control, actually experiencing loss of control, and overeating accompanied by loss of control, but not to objective overeating alone. Findings support body dissatisfaction models, highlight the need for culturally specific assessment and underscore the relevance of cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting binge eating pathology, body image and emotional regulation.