Prevalence of borderline personality symptoms in two groups of obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of borderline personality symptoms and self-harm behavior in two distinct groups of obese subjects.

METHOD

Obese women, 17 from an eating disorders program and 60 from a primary care setting, were administered the borderline personality scale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire--Revised, the Diagnostic Interview for Borderline Patients, and the Self-Harm Inventory.

RESULTS

There was a significant between-group difference on all study measures, with subjects in the eating disorders program displaying more psychopathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Study group membership appears to have a significant effect on the prevalence of psychopathology in obese women.