Weight concerns in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of weight concerns in individuals with BDD, and to examine similarities and differences between those with and those without weight concerns.

METHOD: We assessed 200 participants with BDD for clinically significant weight concerns and compared those with weight concerns (in addition to other body area concerns) to those without weight concerns on measures of BDD symptoms, other symptom severity, comorbidity, suicidality, functioning, and quality of life.

RESULTS: 58 (29.0%) participants had weight concerns. Participants with weight concerns were younger, more likely to be female, and had more body areas of concern; a higher frequency of certain BDD behaviors, suicide attempts, and comorbidity; greater body image disturbance and depression; and poorer social functioning. The two groups were similar on other measures.

DISCUSSION: Weight concerns in BDD deserve further study, as they appear relatively common and are associated with greater symptom severity and psychopathology in several domains.