Impulsivity and Anger Regulation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Feeding and Eating Disorders: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study
5 affiliations
- 1Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University Hospital of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
- 2Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
- 3Eating Disorders and Obesity Center, Local Health Authority Umbria 1, 06062 Città della Pieve, Italy
- 4Food Science and Human Nutrition Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy
- 5Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) are common in individuals with overweight or obesity and are associated with greater psychological burden. This study examined whether body-image concerns, impulsivity, and anger regulation distinguish individuals with overweight or obesity with and without a diagnosis of FEDs according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Methods: 50 adults with overweight or obesity (76.0% women; mean BMI = 40.23 ± 5.93 kg/m2) were recruited from specialist obesity services in Italy. Twenty-one participants (42.0%) had a DSM-5-TR FED diagnosis and 29 did not. FED diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders, Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV). Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). Group differences and an exploratory logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Compared with participants without FED, those with FED showed significantly higher eating-disorder psychopathology. Body-image concerns were higher in the FED group but did not reach statistical significance. Participants with FED showed higher motor impulsivity and poorer anger regulation. Motor impulsivity was independently associated with FED diagnosis (OR = 1.474, 95% CI = 1.084–2.003, p = 0.013) and remained significant after adjusting for recruitment site. An association between lower anger control and FED diagnosis was also observed but did not remain significant after this adjustment. Conclusions: Adults with overweight or obesity and FED present psychological characteristics extending beyond eating-disorder psychopathology; motor impulsivity emerged as the most robust transdiagnostic correlate of FED status, whereas the association with anger regulation was less consistent and did not survive adjustment for recruitment site. These findings highlight the importance of multidimensional psychological assessment and should be confirmed in larger, prospective, adequately powered studies.
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BibTeX
@article{raspa2026impulsivity,
title = {{Impulsivity and Anger Regulation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Feeding and Eating Disorders: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study}},
author = {Veronica Raspa and Francesca Di Maio and Gianmarco Cinesi and Francesca Scopetta and Patrizia Moretti and Marta Borsellini and Laura Dalla Ragione and Giulia Menculini and Claudia Mazzeschi and Alfonso Tortorella},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15208156},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8156},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impulsivity and Anger Regulation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Feeding and Eating Disorders: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study
AU - Veronica Raspa
AU - Francesca Di Maio
AU - Gianmarco Cinesi
AU - Francesca Scopetta
AU - Patrizia Moretti
AU - Marta Borsellini
AU - Laura Dalla Ragione
AU - Giulia Menculini
AU - Claudia Mazzeschi
AU - Alfonso Tortorella
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15208156
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8156
AB - Background/Objectives: Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) are common in individuals with overweight or obesity and are associated with greater psychological burden. This study examined whether body-image concerns, impulsivity, and anger regulation distinguish individuals with overweight or obesity with and without a diagnosis of FEDs according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Methods: 50 adults with overweight or obesity (76.0% women; mean BMI = 40.23 ± 5.93 kg/m2) were recruited from specialist obesity services in Italy. Twenty-one participants (42.0%) had a DSM-5-TR FED diagnosis and 29 did not. FED diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders, Clinician Version (SCID-5-CV). Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Bulimia Test-Revised (BULIT-R), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). Group differences and an exploratory logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Compared with participants without FED, those with FED showed significantly higher eating-disorder psychopathology. Body-image concerns were higher in the FED group but did not reach statistical significance. Participants with FED showed higher motor impulsivity and poorer anger regulation. Motor impulsivity was independently associated with FED diagnosis (OR = 1.474, 95% CI = 1.084–2.003, p = 0.013) and remained significant after adjusting for recruitment site. An association between lower anger control and FED diagnosis was also observed but did not remain significant after this adjustment. Conclusions: Adults with overweight or obesity and FED present psychological characteristics extending beyond eating-disorder psychopathology; motor impulsivity emerged as the most robust transdiagnostic correlate of FED status, whereas the association with anger regulation was less consistent and did not survive adjustment for recruitment site. These findings highlight the importance of multidimensional psychological assessment and should be confirmed in larger, prospective, adequately powered studies.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -