Several studies have proved that people who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) experience higher levels of anxiety, stress and depression than general population; while controversial results have been found among obese people (OB); the purpose of this study is to compare levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in AN sample, in OB sample and in Healthy Control Group (HC).

AN sample: 27 anorexic inpatient women in an eating disorder unit. OB sample: 27 obese women evaluated for elegibility of bariatric surgery intervention. HC group: 27 women from different countries had been recruited. DASS 21 and STAI-Y questionnaires had been subministred to evaluate anxiety, stress and depression. The questionnaires had been scores and statistical analysis had been held to determine whether the differences founded in the 3 populations were significant or not (P-value < 0.05).

Table 1. The differences founded were significant.

Anxiety and stress (DASS21, STAI): AN have reported higher levels than OB and HC that present similar levels. Depression (DASS21): AN have reported higher levels than OB and HC; OB higher levels than HC.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.