Anderson, Kate/ Rieger, Elizabeth/ Caterson, Ian. A comparison of maladaptive schemata in treatment-seeking obese adults and normal-weight control subjects. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2006, 60, 245– 252.
Abstract
Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine whether treatment-seeking obese adults display a greater severity of maladaptive schemata than normal-weight adults and to investigate the possible correlates of maladaptive schemata among obese individuals.
Methods: The sample included 52 obese adults participating in a weight loss treatment and 39 normal-weight adults. Participants in the obese and normal-weight control groups completed standardized self-report questionnaires designed to assess attitudes and behaviors regarding eating and weight (Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns–Revised and Binge Eating Scale), maladaptive schemata (Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Version), mood disturbance (Profile of Mood States–Adolsecents) and socially desirable responding (Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding).
Results: The obese patients reported a significantly greater severity of maladaptive schemata (after controlling for demographic variables and binge eating disorder status) than the normal-weight control subjects. In addition, within the obese group, there were significant positive correlations between the severity of maladaptive schema scores and both mood disturbance and problem eating scores.
Conclusion: The present findings suggest that obesity may be associated with a higher severity of maladaptive schemata, at least among those obese individuals who have sought treatment. Possible etiological and treatment implications of the findings are discussed.

Dierka, Jan-Michael/ Conradt, Matthias/ Rauh, Elisabeth/ Schlumberger, Pia/ Hebebrand, Johannes/ Rief, Winfried. What determines well-being in obesity? Associations with BMI, social skills, and social support. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2006, 60, 219– 227.
Abstract
Objective: Theory and research suggest that the stigma associated with obesity has an impact on the development of social skills and social relationships which may be related to subjective well-being. The main objective was to clarify the associations between BMI (kg/m²), social skills, social support and subjective well-being in a sample of obese subjects.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of 226 obese adults (75 females and 151 males) from the general population between the ages of 19 and 74 [mean (SD), 46.9 (13.7) years]. Mean (SD) BMI of the subjects was 36 (5.3).
Outcome measures: subjective wellbeing was measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and by the Positive And Negative Affect Scales (PANAS). Social support was assessed with scales of the Social Support Questionnaire F-SozU and social skills with a short form of the German Insecurity Questionnaire U-24. Results: Hierarchical regression analysis showed that social support and social skill measures are relevant predictors of subjective well-being (with both independent and shared influences), while BMI is not. The obese people in our study neither differed from other comparison groups in their subjective well-being, nor did they report greater impairments in social skills or social support.
Conclusion: BMI does not seem to be the major determinant of low subjective well-being in obesity. As in healthy controls, subjective well-being is principally associated with social skills and social support.

Dubois, Lise/ Farmer, Anna/ Girard, Manon/ Porcherie, Marion. Family food insufficiency is related to overweight among preschoolers’. Social Science & Medicine 2006, 63, 1503–1516.
Abstract
This paper studies the relationship between family food insufficiency and being overweight in a population-based cohort of preschool children (n = 2103) using data from the Longitudinal Study of Child Development in Que´ bec (1998–2002) (LSCDQ). Family food insufficiency status was derived when children were 1.5 years of age (from birth to 1.5 years) and at 4.5 years of age (from 3.5 to 4.5 years). Children’s height and weight were measured at home at 4.5 years. Overweight was defined according to the US CDC sex- and age-specific growth charts and Cole’s criteria. Statistical analyses were done with SAS (version 8.2). In multivariate analyses, mean body mass index (BMI) was higher for children from food insufficient families compared to children from food sufficient families, even when important factors associated with BMI, such as child’s birth weight, parental BMI, maternal education, and family income sufficiency were considered. We did not report any gender effects in the multivariate analyses. The presence of family food insufficiency at some point during preschool years more than tripled (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5–7.6) the odds for obesity using the Cole criteria, and doubled (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.6) the odds for overweight at 4.5 years using the CDC growth curves indicator. We observed an interaction between birth weight and family food insufficiency in relation to being overweight at 4.5 years. Low-birthweight children living in a household that experienced food insufficiency during preschool years are at higher risk of overweight at 4.5 years. Given this important finding, supportive interventions targeting low-income and food insufficient families, including pregnant women, are recommended for preventing overweight and obesity among their children.

Kress, Amii M./ Peterson, Michael R./ Hartzell, Michael C. Association between obesity and depressive symptoms among U.S. Military active duty service personnel, 2002. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2006, 60. 263– 271.
Abstract
Purpose: The association between obesity and depression remains equivocal. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and association of obesity and depressive symptoms among military personnel.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data (N=10,040) from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Survey of Health-Related Behaviors. Prevalence odds ratios were calculated to describe the association between obesity and depressive symptoms.
Results: Approximately 10% of active duty men and 4% of active duty women were obese. The prevalence of depressive symptoms ranged from approximately 16% of overweight men to 49% of obese women. Obese men and women and underweight men had increased odds of depressive symptoms as compared with normal-weight individuals.
Conclusions: The DoD should emphasize prevention and regular screening for obesity and depressive symptoms to improve readiness and reduce health care costs and disease
burden in this cohort.

Larsen, Junilla K./ van Strien, Tatjana/ Eisinga, Rob/ Engels, Rutger C.M.E.
Gender differences in the association between alexithymia and emotional eating in obese individuals, Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2006, 60,  237– 243.
Abstract
Objective: Women have been reported to use more emotion regulation strategies than do men and to have more abilities to regulate their emotions in a different way. The aim of the present study was to examine gender differences in the relationships of alexithymia, negative mood, and the combination of alexithymia and negative mood with emotional eating in obese persons. Methods: Four hundred thirteen obese individuals [343 females and 70 males, aged 18–60 years, mean=43.6 years, body mass index (BMI)=38.4F6.6 kg/m2] completed self-report questionnaires, including the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS).
Results: Hierarchical regression analysis showed a significant interaction between gender and alexithymia. More difficulty in identifying or describing feelings was specifically associated with more emotional eating in men. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alexithymia is more strongly involved in emotional eating of obese men than women. This offers indications for designing gender-specific treatments for emotional eating among obese persons.

Vocks, Silja/ Legenbauer, Tanja/ Wachter, Alexandra/ Wucherer, Maike/ Kosfelder, Joachim. What happens in the course of body exposure? Emotional, cognitive, and physiological reactions to mirror confrontation in eating disorders. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2007, 62, 231– 239.
Abstract
Objective: Though body exposure seems to enhance outcome in cognitive-behavioural therapy of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown.
Methods: Participants with eating disorders (ED; n = 21) and normal controls (NC; n = 28) were exposed to their own bodies in front of a mirror for 40 minutes under standardized conditions. Emotions, cognitions, and saliva cortisol were assessed every 10 minutes during body exposure. Heart rate and skin conductance were recorded continuously.
Results: ED showed higher negative emotional and cognitive responses to body exposure compared to NC, whereas no group differences were found for physiological reactions. In the course of body exposure, the extent of negative emotions and cognitions decreased significantly with medium effects for emotions and low effects for cognitions. Physiological parameters remained stable during the task.
Conclusion: Body exposure is a promising technique to overcome negative body related emotions, but additional cognitive techniques are necessary.

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