Comparing Eating Pathology Among Patients With and Without Previous Anonymous Group Attendance

The current study aimed to identify the proportion of eating disorder (ED) patients who reported previously attending an ED-related anonymous group (ED-AG; e.g., Overeaters Anonymous), and explore differences in clinical characteristics between ED treatment-seeking individuals who did and those who did not attend ED-AG. Upon admission to an ED specialty clinic, adult patients (N=227) reported their history of ED-AG attendance, ED impairment and pathology, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Almost a quarter of participants (n=50; 22%) reported previously attending an ED-AG, with the majority reporting attending Overeaters Anonymous (n=38; 76%). A one-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to test for differences between those who reported previously attending ED-AG and those who did not on ED impairment and pathology, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Results indicate that there were significant differences in mean responses between those who did and did not attend an ED-AG (F[8, 210]=2.22, p=.03, Wilks’ Lambda=.92, η2=.08). Specifically, those who attended an ED-AG reported significantly more binge eating episodes (p=.01, η2=.03) and significantly fewer episodes of compulsive exercise (p=.03, η2=.02) than individuals who did not attend an ED-AG. There were no significant differences in the other symptoms examined between the two groups. Given that findings show few symptom differences between the two groups, future research can explore whether there is clinical utility or harm in those with EDs attending these types of groups. Additionally, it is possible that individuals with binge spectrum disorders may be more likely to seek ED-AG support than restriction spectrum disorders, as noted by higher binge episodes among those reporting previous ED-AG attendance. It is possible that individuals with binge eating conceptualize their symptoms as an eating or weight issue rather than an ED, leading to seeking out an ED-AG. Future research should explore these possibilities.