Field dependence in young anorectic and obese women

Bruch and other clinicians working with patients suffering from eating disorders have noted substantial similarity between obese individuals and those with anorexia nervosa with regard to difficulties in achieving autonomous functioning. Although research has substantially supported this view for obese persons, some studies of anorectics have portrayed them as no different from or even more autonomous than normally weighted controls. In an attempt to clarify this discrepancy, the present study evaluated field dependence, a psychological measure reflecting autonomy, among 16 subjects with anorexia nervosa, 16 obese subjects and 16 normally weighted controls. The three groups consisted of females between 12 and 24 years, matched for age, IQ and socioeconomic status. The anorectic and obese groups, while no different from each other, were both significantly more field dependent than the normal controls. The results are viewed as supportive of the Bruch position, stressing similarity of the two eating disorder groups in their limited progress toward autonomous functioning.