Anxiety about getting fat may increase the number of binge-eating disorder symptoms

According to preliminary sources, general anxiety and anxiety about getting fat (AGF) are associated with the occurrence of binge eating disorder (BED). Still, there is little research in this area. The aim of the present study was to investigate anxiety, AGF, and depression in BED. The research focused on BED from two separate perspectives: the number of BED symptoms and the recurrence rate of BED episodes. Women (n = 103) were surveyed using a self-developed questionnaire evaluating the presence of BED symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Body Mass Anxiety Scale (BMAS-20). Participants who met the criteria for BED reported elevated levels of anxiety and AGF. Significant differences were observed in the level of anxiety and AGF between groups with a lower and higher number of BED symptoms. Also, groups with mild, moderate, and severe BED were found to differ significantly in the level of depression symptoms. AGF was associated with a greater number of BED symptoms, suggesting it may contribute to symptom escalation.