Direct and indirect effects of alexithymia on disordered eating in a non-clinical female sample: Determining the role of negative affect.

Facets of alexithymia (DIF and DDF) directly predict disordered eating in healthy participants as well as indirectly depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that targeted interventions to improve the ability of individuals to identify and describe their feelings could be beneficial in reducing disordered eating, particularly in those "at risk" of developing eating disorders.