Antisocial behavioral syndromes and body mass index among adults in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To describe associations of antisocial behavioral syndromes, including DSM-IV antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and conduct disorder without progression to ASPD ("CD only"), and syndromal antisocial behavior in adulthood without CD before age 15 (AABS, not a codable DSM-IV disorder), with body mass index (BMI) status in the general US adult population.


METHODS
This report is based on the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n = 43093; response rate, 81%). Respondents were classified according to whether they met criteria for ASPD, AABS, "CD only," or no antisocial syndrome, and on current BMI status based on self-reported height and weight. Associations of antisocial syndromes with BMI status were examined using multinomial logistic regression.


RESULTS
Among men, antisociality was not associated with BMI. Among women, ASPD was significantly associated with overweight and extreme obesity; AABS was associated with obesity and extreme obesity; and "CD only" was significantly associated with overweight, obesity, and extreme obesity.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of antisocial features appears warranted in overweight, obese, and extremely obese women, and assessment of BMI status appears indicated in antisocial women. Prevention and treatment guidelines for overweight and obesity may need revision to address comorbid antisociality, and interventions targeting antisociality may need to include attention to weight concerns.
Goldstein
Risë B
RB
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304, USA. goldster@mail.nih.gov
Dawson
Deborah A
DA
Stinson
Frederick S
FS
Ruan
W June
WJ
Chou
S Patricia
SP
Pickering
Roger P
RP
Grant
Bridget F
BF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology