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Obesity, psychopathology and eating attitudes: Are they related?

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the link between psychopathological disorders and eating attitude in a clinical sample of 195 female obese subjects. A battery of psychologica tests, including the Italian versions of the MMPI 2, ASQ and EAT scales were administered to al the patients. We analyzed the link between psychopathological traits and eating attitudes by using both Multiple Regression analysis and non-parametric Segmentation Modeling. The results showed that psychopathological aspects, and depression in particular, are strongly linked to the eating attitude of clinically obese subjects. This is an important result also for therapeutic purposes, as it highlights the need for psychological support in diet therapy to intervene on the psychological perceptions and experiences of the patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laborato rio di Psicologia, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, P. O. Box 1, 28044, Verbania, Italy

    Giuseppe Riva Ph.D., P. Ragazzoni & E. Molinari

  2. Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Riva Ph.D. & E. Molinari

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Riva Ph.D.
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  2. P. Ragazzoni
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  3. E. Molinari
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Riva, G., Ragazzoni, P. & Molinari, E. Obesity, psychopathology and eating attitudes: Are they related?. Eat Weight Disord 3, 78–83 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339992

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