JAPNA Article: Binge Eating and Loss of Control in College-Age Women

Loss of control (LOC) is one of the essential characteristics of the definition of binge eating (BE), and is associated with an increased risk of eating psychopathology. Increased knowledge about this experience would enhance nurses’ ability to intervene with patients suffering with these problems. This activity describes the research findings of a large qualitative study of college age women who have reported LOC associated with BE.  The first-hand accounts of these experiences will help clinicians better understand this phenomenon and assist in the development of new therapeutic interventions. 

Authors:  Susan Kelly-Weeder, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP; Danny G. Willis, DNS, RN, PMHCNS-BC; Laura Mata Lopez, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Brianna Sacco, MSN, RN; Barbara E. Wolfe, PhD, RN, FAAN

Disclosures:  Supported, in part, by NIH-NINR Grant K23NR11175-2 (SKW). The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. APNA planners have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this article, the participant will be able to:

1. Define binge eating behavior and the essential characteristics of the behavior. 
2. Describe the experience of loss of control associated with binge eating in college age women.
3. Differentiate between the emotional, cognitive and control aspects of loss of control with binge eating.

Keywords:  Binge Eating, Loss of Control, Women's Health, Eating Disorders

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.0 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: read the entire article, complete an evaluation, and earn a passing score on the post-test. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the post-test and a score of 80% is required to pass. You will be able to print or email a CE certificate once all steps are completed. 

The ability to earn contact hours for this article expires in June 30, 2021.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.