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.