Perfectionism is considered a multidimensional key risk factor for Eating Disorders (EDs). There are discrepancies regarding if it is mainly associated to Anorexia nervosa (AN) but not to other EDs.

To study if Perfectionism is not only related with AN, but it is present in all EDs and associated with more transdiagnostic attitudes and behaviors.

To see if there were significant differences among EDs subgroups concerning Perfectionism and to study which abnormal eating attitudes were more associated with this trait.

Participants were 151 outpatients with EDs. DSM-IVTR diagnoses were: 44 (29.1%) Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 55 (36.4%) Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and 52 (34.4%) Eating Disorders not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Perfectionism was assessed with the Edinburg Investigatory Test (EDI-2) subscale; general psychopathology with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSE). Eating psychopathology was measured with the Bulimic Investigatory Test (BITE), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40), EDI-2 and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ).

No significant differences were found regarding Perfectionism among the three groups. Body dissatisfaction was the variable most associated with Perfectionism (β = 0.330, F = 14.2, P < 0.001, 10.9% of the variance) adjusting for general and eating psychopathology. Ascetism and Interoceptive awareness were the EDI-2 subscales most associated with Perfectionism.

The findings confirm that Perfectionism is present in all EDs and there is a relationship between body dissatisfaction and Perfectionism. Interplay has been suggested between these two factors for the development of EDs.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.