Perfectionism in Overweight and Obesity: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• High body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased rates of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and eating disorders (ED).
• Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic mechanism in EDs, but its role across different BMI categories and its multidimensional impact require further investigation.
• Understanding perfectionism's role in overweight and obesity is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing research on the relationship between perfectionism and BMI.
• To determine if perfectionism acts as a transdiagnostic, trans-BMI mechanism relevant to overweight/obesity interventions.
• To explore associations between specific dimensions of perfectionism and BMI.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 80 studies investigating perfectionism in individuals with overweight/obesity, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion of both clinical (50 studies) and nonclinical (30 studies) samples.
• Analysis of reported BMI data, with an overall mean BMI of 30.38 (SD = 6.13).

Main Results:

• No consistent direct relationship was found between perfectionism and BMI across the majority of studies.
• Perfectionism demonstrated an association with DEB, highlighting its potential transdiagnostic relevance.
• Specific dimensions of perfectionism, such as concern over mistakes, were linked to eating pathology irrespective of weight category.

Conclusions:

• Perfectionism appears relevant to disordered eating behaviors across weight categories, warranting consideration in interventions for high BMI.
• Further research is needed to establish a consensus on defining and assessing multidimensional perfectionism.
• Qualitative research and exploration of the lived experiences of individuals with high BMI concerning perfectionism are recommended.