Obesity, alexithymia and psychopathology: a case-control study
1Department of Public Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Cagliari, Via Liguria 13, 09127 Cagliari, Italy.
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|February 19, 2011
Summary
Obese patients seeking treatment show higher rates of alexithymia, a difficulty identifying emotions. This emotional trait is strongly linked to other psychological conditions, suggesting routine screening is beneficial.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying and describing emotions, is increasingly recognized in various clinical populations.
- The prevalence and impact of alexithymia in individuals with obesity, particularly those seeking treatment, remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychopathology and alexithymia in a clinical sample of obese patients.
- To compare the frequency of alexithymia in obese patients with that of a matched non-obese control group.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 293 obese patients and 293 non-obese controls.
- Utilized Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders (SCID I/II), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90).
Main Results:
- Alexithymia was significantly more prevalent in obese patients (12.9%) than in controls (6.9%, p=0.010).
- Obese patients exhibited higher mean scores on TAS-20 subscales 1 and 2, and the overall scale.
- Comorbidity with Axis I/II disorders, especially Binge Eating Disorder, was associated with increased alexithymic traits and higher TAS scores.
Conclusions:
- A strong correlation exists between alexithymia and psychopathology in obese patients undergoing treatment.
- Routine assessment of personality traits and comorbid psychopathology is recommended for effective obesity treatment strategies.
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