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Eating disorder variables and self image in Italian girls attending a weight control clinic

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate eating disorder variables and self image in Italian female adolescents asking for a weight control treatment. Method: Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (1991) and Offer Self-Image questionnaire (1989) were administered; 100 subjects (75 outpatients and 25 controls) were enrolled over a period of three months and divided into three study groups (normal, overweight and obese), and one control group. Results: The relationship between BMI and problematic personality traits tends to be linear and positive. Obese adolescent females describe themselves in more negative terms than non-obese individuals and show a psychological profile similar to individuals with eating disorders, especially for Drive for Thinness and Interoceptive Awareness. Even in the absence of overt mental pathology, obesity can result associated to a psychological distress and it’s a risk factor for mental health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy

    D. Bacchini

  2. Department of Neuroscience, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy

    M. Duval & P. Valerio

  3. Interuniversities Center for the Study of Obesity, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy

    F. Pasanisi

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  1. D. Bacchini
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  2. M. Duval
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  3. P. Valerio
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  4. F. Pasanisi
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Correspondence to D. Bacchini.

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Bacchini, D., Duval, M., Valerio, P. et al. Eating disorder variables and self image in Italian girls attending a weight control clinic. Eat Weight Disord 10, 125–132 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327534

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