The relationship between borderline personality symptoms and body mass index in a consecutive sample of cardiac stress test patients

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by inherent difficulties with self-regulation. While a number of studies have examined the relationship between BPD and body mass index (BMI)/overweight/obesity, findings have been mixed. In this cross-sectional study of a consecutive sample of 238 participants presenting for cardiac stress testing, we investigated the relationship between borderline personality symptoms, according to two self-report measures, and BMI. Compared to participants who were negative on both measures of borderline personality symptoms, participants who were positive on either measure of borderline personality symptoms demonstrated no differences in current BMI or highest BMI in adulthood. These results in a unique study population mirror the findings of other studies in medical and community populations.