Metacognitive beliefs and eating features in patients with eating disorders|Credenze metacognitive e caratteristiche alimentari in pazienti con disturbi dell’alimentazione

Literature shows a possible association between metacognitive beliefs and eating disorders. The aim of the present study is to explore the association between metacognitive beliefs and Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). 57 patients with a diagnosis of eating disorders completed the EDI-2 and the MCQ-30. Results showed that Anorexia Nervosa patients have higher levels of «drive for thinness» scales on the EDI-2 than other patients, as well as having higher levels of negative metacognitive beliefs than those with Binge Eating Disorder. Metacognitive beliefs are associated with «drive for thinness» and «bulimia» scales. «Cognitive confidence» is a factor associated with «drive for thinness». These findings suggest that explicit metacognitions could be associated with the desire to lose weight, the fear of weight gain, and the tendency to binge and purge. Negative metacognitive beliefs appear to be mainly associated with Anorexia Nervosa. The assessment of metacognitive beliefs may be considered in patients with eating disorders.