Anxiety about getting fat may increase the number of binge-eating disorder symptoms

TL;DR

Anxiety about getting fat is linked to more symptoms of binge-eating disorder, suggesting it may worsen the condition.

Contribution

This study explores the relationship between anxiety about getting fat and the severity of binge-eating disorder symptoms.

Findings

Participants with BED reported higher anxiety and anxiety about getting fat.

Anxiety about getting fat was associated with a greater number of BED symptoms.

Depression symptoms varied significantly among groups with different BED severity levels.

Abstract

According to preliminary sources, general anxiety and anxiety about getting fat (AGF) are associated with the occurrence of binge eating disorder (BED). Still, there is little research in this area. The aim of the present study was to investigate anxiety, AGF, and depression in BED. The research focused on BED from two separate perspectives: the number of BED symptoms and the recurrence rate of BED episodes. Women (n = 103) were surveyed using a self-developed questionnaire evaluating the presence of BED symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Body Mass Anxiety Scale (BMAS-20). Participants who met the criteria for BED reported elevated levels of anxiety and AGF. Significant differences were observed in the level of anxiety and AGF between groups with a lower and higher number of BED symptoms. Also, groups with mild, moderate, and severe BED were found to differ significantly in the level of depression symptoms. AGF was associated with a greater number of BED symptoms, suggesting it may contribute to symptom escalation.