Background: Anxiety about gaining weight is strongly related to body image. Evidence indicates that body dissatisfaction is a strong predictor of eating disorder development. Although not included in DSM-V diagnostic criteria, body image dissatisfaction, and concern are clearly relevant also for individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED). Weight gain anxiety is associated with psychopathological behaviors, but existing research in this area is primarily focused on bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. The goal of this present study was to investigate body image and body mass anxiety in people with BED. Methods: Women diagnosed with BED (n = 105) aged 18 to 66 were surveyed using the questionnaire developed by the authors evaluating the presence of BED symptoms based on DSM-V criteria, and two other instruments: the Body Esteem Scale (BES), and the Body Mass Anxiety Scale (BMAS-20). Statistical analyses were conducted to examine the correlations of BED with body image and body mass anxiety (Pearson’s r), to test differences between groups with greater and lesser BED symptom diversity (Student’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test), and to assess differences among mild-, moderate- and severe-BED groups (ANOVA with a post-hoc test). Results: A medium positive relationship was found between anxiety about getting fat (AGF) and the diversity of BED, measured as the number of BED symptoms. A larger number of BED symptoms was shown to be associated with a higher level of AGF. However, no significant differences in AGF levels were observed among BED-severity groups, specified with the frequency of binge eating episodes. No correlations were found between BED and body image. There were also no significant differences in body image between groups with a larger and a smaller number of BED symptoms. The only significant difference in body image observed among BED-severity groups was the level of weight concern. People with mild BED displayed a higher level of weight concern than those with severe BED. Conclusions: Women who binge eat experience high levels of AGF. In the present study, AGF was primarily associated with the number of BED symptoms and not the rate of recurrence of binge-eating episodes. The frequency of BED episodes, however, was linked with weight concern. On the other hand, the hypothesized relationship between disturbed body image and BED was not confirmed. The findings indicate that anxiety about getting fat should be viewed as one of the psychological costs incurred by women experiencing BED symptoms, and it should be mentioned in the next DSM version.

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.

Introduction and objective: Today, more and more people struggle with eating disorders. To be able to propose effective therapeutic and treatment interventions for these individuals, scholars need to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that underlie eating disorders. The...