A study at the University of Pittsburgh found evidence of binge eating in youngsters, leading its authors to argue that the condition should be accounted for in weight-management programs designed for severely overweight kids.

"Children in the Binge Eating Group were younger and had more depressive, anxiety, and eating-disorder symptoms, and lower self-esteem," the study found.

The study compared the effects of family-based behavioral treatments with usual care. The binge eaters gained weight anyway — on average about 2.5 percent — while the others who got the behavioral treatment lost 8.5 percent.

The study was reported in the International Journal of Obesity. Thanks to my good friend and reader Ron T., for passing the link my way.