Executive function in eating disorders: the role of state anxiety.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the influence of depression and anxiety on executive function in individuals with a DSM-IV diagnosis of anorexia nervosa-restricting type, anorexia nervosa-binge-eating/purging type, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified.

METHOD: We assessed 106 women after their inpatient treatment in an eating disorders program. All participants were nutritionally stable at the time of testing.

RESULTS

Thirty percent of the total sample showed impaired performance on one or more tests of executive function. No differences in executive function were observed among diagnostic groups. Anxiety scores accounted for significant variance in performance for all groups.

DISCUSSION: Executive function deficits were found in a minority of our sample, with significant variance in performance accounted for by self-reported anxiety. State anxiety appears to contribute to diminished executive function in women with eating disorders.