title: Binge eating partially mediates the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and psychological distress in obese treatment seeking individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We compared the binge eating pathway linking body image dissatisfaction (BID) and psychological distress of obese adults entering and not entering psychological treatment for their weight problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  90 obese participants seeking an integrated treatment (OB-IT) and 87 obese participants seeking only medical treatment (OB-MT) for their weight problems completed questionnaires on BID, binge eating and psychological well-being.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only in the OB-IT group, binge eating behaviors mediated the relationship between BID and psychological distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both BID and binge eating behaviors need to be addressed in the psychological and medical treatment for obesity to enhance psychological well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: gianluca.lococo@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Coco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.affiliation: Center of Eating Disorders Ce.Di.Al., ASP Palermo, Via Papa Sergio I, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Social Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Marie Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Lina A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ricciardelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Binge eating; Body image dissatisfaction; Depression; Obesity; Quality of life; Self-esteem