Eating disorder psychopathology does not predict the overweight severity in subjects seeking weight loss treatment.
BACKGROUND
Many obese subjects show relevant psychological distress. The aims of this study were to assess the psychopathological and clinical features of a sample of overweight or obese subjects seeking weight loss treatment and to evaluate the possible, significant associations between the levels of overweight and the specific and general eating disorder psychopathology.


METHODS
A total of 397 consecutive overweight (body mass index > or =25 kg/m(2)) patients seeking treatment for weight loss at the Outpatient Clinic for Obesity of the University of Florence were studied. The prevalence of binge eating disorder was assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria. All subjects were assessed through the self-report version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.


RESULTS
The current prevalence of binge eating disorder was 24.2%; 35% of the subjects were overweight during childhood. High prevalence rates of clinical significant depressive (38%) and anxious (71.5%) symptoms were observed. Binge eating disorder, the severity of specific eating disorder psychopathology, and depressive and anxious symptoms were not associated with the severity of overweight.


CONCLUSIONS
The severity of the specific and general eating disorder psychopathology does not predict the levels of overweight. A positive association between severe eating disorder psychopathology and clinical depression was observed.
Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Castellini
Francesco
F
Lapi
Claudia
C
Ravaldi
Alfredo
A
Vannacci
Carlo Maria
CM
Rotella
Carlo
C
Faravelli
Valdo
V
Ricca
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011599:Psychopathology; D015431:Weight Loss