M. Tech. / Binge eating is defined as eating an inordinate amount of food in a discrete period of time, during which the eater experiences a subjective loss of control (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The event is often followed by emotional distress, including feelings of disgust, shame, fear, guilt or discomfort (Herrin, 2003). Binge eating is found in all eating disturbances, and is especially associated with binge eating disorder, which affects all races and both genders almost equally (Fairburn & Brownell, 2002). Current treatment protocols include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and traditional weight loss programmes (Birmingham & Treasure, 2010; Mitchell & Peterson, 2005; Wadden & Stunkard, 2002). The role of homoeopathy in the treatment of binge eating remains poorly explored. This research study was designed to examine the efficacy of homoeopathic similimum treatment on binge eating in males, following ten case studies. The research was carried out at the University of Johannesburg Homoeopathy Health Centre, from 8 July 2010 to 24 November 2010. Ten male participants, all between the ages of 23 and 42, took part in this research. Each participant was screened telephonically before their first consultation. Inclusion criteria included eating a large volume of food within a short space of time, and feeling a loss of control over eating habits. Exclusion criteria included a prior diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulemia nervosa or any morbidity associated with obesity, including diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Each participant attended a total of four consultations over a 12 week period. Follow-up consultations took place every three weeks. During each interview, the participants' severity and frequency of binge eating was assessed through their history, a self-assessment calender for recording binging incidence between consultations and by completing a psychometric evaluation. On the second and third consultation, each participant was issued with an individuated similimum prescription based on the totality of their case history, to be taken as directed. v. All data was collected and analyzed, with the following results: – All participants reported a variable decrease in their binging frequency and severity. – Most participants experienced a concurrent improvement in other aspects of their health, such as their sleeping habits, libido, blood pressure, level of confidence or an overall sense of well-being. – Statistical analysis of the participants' measured results confirms a significant improvement in both binging frequency and severity after similimum treatment. The researcher concluded that this study shows the possible benefits of homoeopathic similimum treatment in binge eating in males, by decreasing both binging frequency and severity.

Compulsive exercise has been observed as a significant feature of the eating disorders throughout their history. It has variously been conceptualised as primarily an analogue of purgation, an emotion regulation strategy, an addiction, or an obsessivecompulsive behaviour, with evidence supporting each to varying degrees. The importance of compulsive exercise is underlined by the finding that it often precedes the onset of an eating disorder and is one of the last symptoms to subside. In addition, it is associated with a longer length of hospitalisation and higher rates of relapse. As a result, compulsive exercise is now recognised as a significant factor in the aetiology, development and maintenance of the eating disorders across diagnoses. Yet despite the importance of compulsive exercise and previous recommendations to target it, no clear conceptual model of compulsive exercise exists upon which an intervention could be based. This thesis has three broad aims: (1) critically review the evidence for and against factors implicated in the maintenance of compulsive exercise and propose a new theoretically coherent and empirically derived model of compulsive exercise that could be used to inform future cognitive-behavioural interventions; (2) develop and provide preliminary validation for a new measure of compulsive exercise; and (3) present six studies utilising the new measure of compulsive exercise to empirically test some of the relationships suggested by the proposed model. Main findings: The resulting Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) is a new multidimensional measure of compulsive exercise, consistent with the proposed cognitive-behavioural conceptualisation, and demonstrating good psychometric properties. Utilising the CET, the empirical chapters demonstrate that compulsive exercise was associated with (a) elevated levels of eating-disordered cognitions and increased frequency of eating-disordered behaviours, (b) avoidanceoriented coping and a range of difficulties in regulating emotions, and (c) perfectionism (particularly the self-critical dimension). Implications: The current findings provide preliminary support for the proposed cognitive-behavioural maintenance model of compulsive exercise. This may inform clinical interventions and prevention programs designed to address compulsive exercise, as well as enhancing current treatment efficacy by providing specific targets for intervention. In addition, the new measure of compulsive exercise is potentially a useful screening tool in formulating the maintenance of an individual's exercise behaviour, and is further a potentially useful research and outcome tool.