The Relation of Anxiety, Depression, and Happiness with Binge Eating Disorder among Binge Eating Applicants of Weight-Loss

Background: This descriptive study sought to assess the relation of anxiety, depression, and happiness with binge eating disorders (BED) among overweight and obese individuals. Methods: To conduct this study, 200 individuals who referred to Nutrition Clinics in Isfahan, were selected randomly. They were asked to complete some questionnaires which were then scored according to Gormally scale. Respondents with scores of 17 and higher were selected as BED and entered the study. Final sample size consisted of 120 participants (28 men and 92 women). The management tools were Gormally et al. s, the Oxford Happiness, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Kettel anxiety questionnaires. Results: Statistical assessment consisted of descriptive statistics, pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regressions, and Fisher’s Z test. Results showed that BED had significant and linear correlations with depression (r = 0.51), happiness (r = 0.27), and anxiety ( r = 0.24) (all P 0.01). Depression as the only included factor for analysis explained 25% of the analysis variance. Although, BED had a positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and happiness among men (P 0.05) and women (P 0.01), it did not have any association with either of the three mentioned factors (Z = 0.50, Z = -1.15, and Z = 0.62, respectively). It was shown that depression, anxiety, and absence of happiness had important roles in the process of weight reduction among applicants of weight loss. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression lead to over-eating and over-eating inturn reinforces both depression and anxiety.