The relationship between eating patterns, body image and emotional dysregulation: similarities between an excessive...

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between eating patterns, body image and emotional dysregulation among individuals with excessive and normal body weight.

A total of 298 participants completed the online survey. The following four questionnaires have been used in the present study: the Body Attitude Test, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Mindful Eating Scale.

In both groups (excessive weight versus normal body weight), higher levels of body dissatisfaction have been foreseen based on the higher levels of uncontrolled eating and lower levels of mindful eating. However, among patients with overweight and obesity, the relationship between these variables was stronger and there was an additional significant predictor in the regression model (emotional eating). This model explained the body dissatisfaction variances to a larger extent (excessive body weight: 59% versus normal body weight: 49%). In addition, the mindful eating was of aparamount importance among patients with excessive body weight. The evidence of this was the significant moderating effect of mindful eating in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and restrictive eating as well as emotional dysregulation but only in an overweight and obese sample.

To sum up, in order to increase the effectiveness of treatment of body image disorders, abnormal eating patterns and emotional dysregulation among patients with overweight and obesity the therapeutic processes should put emphasis on mindful eating skills.