Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to compare the degree of anxiety and depression in obese overeaters with that of non-obese normal eaters to determine whether these emotions affect obesity. There were 20 female subjects, 10 obese individuals and 10 non-obese. Subjects were matched on two variables, age and gender. Anxiety was measured by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (Taylor, 1953), and depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1961). The results indicated significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression in the obese than in the non-obese. The results support the hypothesis that anxiety and depression are each a cause of obesity. The results indicate a need for further research into psychological variables controlling overeating.
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Weinstein, L., Pickens, D. Emotions underlying obesity. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 26, 50 (1988). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334858
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334858