Alexithymia, obesity, and binge eating disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying and describing emotions, is a trait observed in various psychiatric conditions.
• Obesity is frequently comorbid with eating disorders, including binge eating disorder (BED).
• The relationship between alexithymia and BED in obese populations requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence and levels of alexithymia between obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder (BED).
• To explore the relationship between alexithymia and demographic and clinical factors in obese subjects with BED.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-three obese subjects with BED and 99 obese subjects without BED were assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS).
• Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of TAS scores.
• Demographic data, Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) subscales, and measures of depression and eating pathology were collected.

Main Results:

• The mean global TAS scores did not significantly differ between obese subjects with and without BED.
• A higher prevalence of alexithymia (TAS total score ≥74) was observed in the BED group (24.1%) compared to the non-BED group (11.1%).
• TAS scores were significantly associated with lower educational level and higher scores on the EDI subscales Interpersonal Distrust and Ineffectiveness.

Conclusions:

• While overall alexithymia levels are comparable, obese individuals with BED exhibit a greater prevalence of alexithymia.
• Alexithymia in this population is linked to interpersonal difficulties and lower educational attainment, not necessarily general eating pathology or depression.
• These findings suggest that alexithymia may play a specific role in the manifestation or maintenance of BED within obese individuals.