Impulsivity and Anger Regulation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Feeding and Eating Disorders: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) are common in individuals with overweight or obesity and are associated with greater psychological burden. This study examined whether body-image concerns, impulsivity, and anger regulation distinguish individuals with overweight or obesity with and without a diagnosis of FEDs according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).

Methods

50 adults with overweight or obesity (76.0% women; mean BMI = 40.23 ± 5.93 kg/m2) were recruited from specialist obesity services in Italy. Twenty-one participants (42.0%) had a DSM-5-TR FED diagnosis and 29 did not. FED diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders, Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV). Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). Group differences and an exploratory logistic regression analysis were performed.