Self-reported interoceptive sensibility across eating disorder symptoms: associations with sociodemographic factors

Interoception is the capacity to perceive, interpret, and respond to internal bodily signals and is increasingly recognised as an important factor in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). Altered interoception contributes to disrupted hunger and satiety, body image disturbances, and difficulties with emotional awareness and responsiveness, all of which are central to ED psychopathology. Despite this growing theoretical and clinical interest, empirical research examining associations between interoception and diverse ED symptoms remains limited, particularly with respect to the potential moderating role of sociodemographic factors.

This study used self-report instruments to investigate interoceptive sensibility across ED symptoms.

A community sample of 221 Australian adults aged 18 or above completed validated self-report measures of interoceptive sensibility (Interoception Sensory Questionnaire, ISQ) and ED symptoms (e.g., Eating Disorder Questionnaire, EDE-Q and Nine Item ARFID Screener, NIAS). Correlation analyses were conducted to assess associations between ISQ scores and ED measures. In addition, we undertook moderation analyses to assess whether sociodemographic factors (i.e., racial background, gender identity, age, employment status, living situation, and sex assigned at birth) influenced ISQ scores and their associations with ED measures.

Statistically significant correlations between ISQ scores and all ED measures were found, with the strongest associations observed with the NIAS and the EDE-Q. Some sociodemographic factors (i.e., sexual orientation, racial background, and sex assigned at birth) also influenced ISQ scores and their association with ED measures.

Difficulties with interoceptive sensibility are evident across a wide range of self-reported ED symptoms, suggesting that altered interoceptive sensibility may be a transdiagnostic feature of EDs, though the statistical strength of associations between ISQ scores and ED measures varied. Integrating interoceptive sensibility into ED assessment and treatment may enhance the individualisation of care.