Impulsivity and eating disorders: The relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and different impulsivity facets in a transdiagnostic sample

Abstract

Objectives

Eating disorders (EDs) are severe psychiatric conditions characterised by malnutrition, dysfunctional behaviours, and hypovitaminosis D. In various psychiatric conditions, including EDs, preliminary evidence has correlated impulsivity to a low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. This study aims to reinforce this evidence by examining different facets, both behavioural and psychological, of the impulsivity construct in patients with ED.

Methods

A sample of 119 women was evaluated with a validated questionnaire and computerised neuropsychological tasks: the UPPS-P impulsive behaviour scale, a go/no-go task, and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). A clinical evaluation for EDs and blood sample collection were also performed to assess specific psychopathology and determine the serum level of 25(OH)D.

Results

Significant correlations were found between serum levels of 25(OH)D and BART scores (p = 0.012) and lack of perseverance (p = 0.034). Moreover, regression analyses showed that higher BART scores may be explained by hypovitaminosis D and higher levels of lack of perseverance in patients with EDs.

Conclusions

The specific aspect of impulsivity linked to goal strategy and behaviours may be explained in patients with EDs by hypovitaminosis D. A possible connection to the brain inflammatory system is also discussed, along with possible directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Eating disorder
• vitamin D
• impulsivity
• risk-taking
• lack of perseverance

Acknowledgements

None.

Author disclosure

Author Paolo Meneguzzo (corresponding author): contributed to study design, wrote the protocol and performed the study, conducted the literature searches, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Author Cecilia Mancini: contributed to study design and performed the study. Authors Aurora Ormitti, Alice Garolla, and Elisa Bonello: performed the study. Author Lorenzo M. Donini: contributed to study design and modified and finalised the manuscript. Author Patrizia Todisco: contributed to study design, wrote the protocol, conducted literature searches, and modified and finalised the manuscript.

Ethical statement

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee, the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments, and comparable ethical standards. The local Ethical Committee approved the study protocol.

Statement of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.