title: The association among interpersonal problems, binge behaviors, and self-esteem, in the assessment of obese individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although disordered eating has been assumed to be associated with interpersonal problems, there is a lack of research regarding the relationship between interpersonal problems and obesity. This study explored associations among self-esteem, binge behaviors, and interpersonal problems in obese individuals, by contrasting obese persons with overweight persons, and to investigate whether body mass index (BMI), binge behaviors, and self-esteem predict interpersonal problems in obese individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of nonobese overweight people (n = 65; BMI range, 25-29.9 kg/m²) and a group of obese people (n = 78; BMI >35 kg/m²) were selected from 224 people attending a mental health care service specializing in eating disorders in Palermo (Italy). Seventy-eight percent of participants were female. All participants filled in the following measures: the Inventory of Interpersonal problems-short version, the Binge Eating Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings showed that 4 domains of interpersonal problems were associated with binge behaviors and self-esteem in obese participants. Moreover, the relationship between binge behaviors and interpersonal problems was partially mediated by self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the poor prognosis for the long-term management of obesity, it could be important for clinicians to carefully assess patients' interpersonal functioning and its relationship to self-esteem and binge behaviors, especially with respect to treatment-seeking obese patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Palermo, Italy. gianluca.lococo@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Coco
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gullo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iacoponelli
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires