Weight and Shape Concern and Body Image as Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

Author(s):  
C. Barr Taylor
Author(s):  
A. A. Pichikov ◽  
Y. V. Popov ◽  
Y. A. Yakovleva ◽  
T. A. Salomatina

The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has contributed to an increase in problems related to eating behavior and body image in the population. Various risk factors that have become relevant due to changes in the usual lifestyle have significantly affected the frequency of eating disorders in the adolescent population. This necessitated the adapting of new strategies for providing medical care in conditions of limited personal contact.The aim of the work is the methodological substantiation and systematization of modern approaches to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, body image disorders and risk factors associated with them in adolescents in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the work is a comprehensive analysis of modern medical and social approaches and recommendations on the organization of assistance to adolescents with eating disorders and body image disorders, with a description of personal experience of using various interventions on an outpatient basis during the pandemic.Results: Prevention and treatment of eating disorders and body image disorders in adolescents during the pandemic should be aimed at specific risk factors those have proved to be the most relevant in connection with restrictive measures: involvement in body image-related social media content and active use of the media; reduction of physical activity with simultaneous increase in access to food; social isolation and reduction of social support; restriction of access to qualified care. The most reasonable approaches during the pandemic are the approaches focused on the family of a teenager using, if possible, remote forms of assistance.Conclusions: Currently, there are no norms and standards in the organization of assistance to adolescents with eating disorders and body image disorders in the pandemic context. However, the analysis of the implemented approaches aimed at various risk factors of these disorders will allow the use of the most effective preventive and therapeutic practices in the future.


Author(s):  
Dylan Park ◽  
Susanna Im

Decades of studies conducted on eating disorders have given researchers a better understanding of the risk factors of eating disorders. Nevertheless, the complexity of eating disorders results in studies only being able to test a limited sample population, making it difficult to generalize results to the general public. Research must also actively investigate the effect of ongoing technological advancements that have transformed the way people interact with one another on the development of eating disorders. The current study used a literature review style approach to address these current limitations in eating disorder research by analyzing all populations that are affected by eating disorders and the involved risk factors. The research question that this study sought to answer was why only a certain group of individuals develop eating disorders when the entire population is exposed to risk factors. The main hypothesis of this study was whether the internalization of an ideal body style different from the one that an individually currently had while using maladaptive ways to achieve this ideal body image was sufficient to developing an eating disorder. The results supported the hypothesis, as the common theme among all sample populations was that the idealized body style, shape, and size was simply different from the one that individuals currently had. The extent to which this different body style was internalized as well as the extent to which maladaptive measures were taken to achieve this ideal body image was associated with increased vulnerability and likelihood of developing an eating disorder.


2001 ◽  
Vol 179 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. Gowers ◽  
Alison Shore

BackgroundAlthough weight and shape concerns are considered to be integral to the psychopathology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, uncertainties remain about developmental aspects of the aetiology of these concerns and their relationship to eating disorders.AimsTo review the recent literature on weight and shape concern, with particular emphasis on aetiology, to identify a possible developmental pathway from weight concern through abnormal eating behaviour to disorder.MethodLiterature review of Medline and Psychlit databases using the keywords ‘eating disosrder’, ‘weight concern’, ‘shape concern’ and ‘aetiology’. Inclusion criteria were based on the strength of quantitative research findings, originality of ideas and recent publication.ResultsWeight and shape concerns follow a developmental pathway arising before the typical age for the development of eating disorders. The origins are multifactorial, with biological, family and sociocultural features predominating.ConclusionsAlthough weight and shape concern seems commonly to underlie the development of eating disorders, an alternative pathway appears to exist through impulsivity and fear of loss of control. Prevention strategies may usefully focus on the attitudes and concerns that lead to dieting behaviour.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-123
Author(s):  
Laurel Stewardson ◽  
Jessica Nolan ◽  
Regine Talleyrand

Research on eating disorders and body-image concerns has traditionally focused on White women and girls. Only a few studies have addressed the specific needs of racially and ethnically diverse men with eating disorders. This article reviews and presents research findings on contextual risk factors that contribute to eating disorders and body-image concerns in men and boys. First, important race- and ethnicity-related factors such as racial identity, acculturation, and experiences of discrimination are briefly discussed. Risk factors relevant for this population, including race-related factors, visual and social media, sexual orientation, muscularity, weight and obesity, and substance abuse, are then explored. Finally, implications for service providers and areas for future research are identified.


Food Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (S3) ◽  
pp. 83-91
Author(s):  
Suryawati ◽  
F.F. Dieny ◽  
R. Purwanti ◽  
A.F.A. Tsani ◽  
N. Widyastuti

Eating disorders in young female athletes is a serious psychological and health disease which could become an early problem on Female Athlete Triad. Eating disorders are influenced by internal and external factors. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for eating disorders in young female athletes. An observational study with a crosssectional design on eighty-six young female athletes was conducted with consecutive sampling method. Subjects in this study were athletes in athletics, weightlifting, volleyball, beach volleyball, swimming, rowing, fencing, Pencak Silat, karate, taekwondo, judo, sepak takraw, table tennis, and boxing. The inclusion criteria of the subject athletes were young female athletes aged 11-21 years registered at the study site, did not consume alcohol, and voluntary. The nutritional status of the subjects was measured by their Body Mass Index for age score. Eating disorder was measured using the Eating Attitude Test-26 questionnaire and Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale for the type of eating disorders, Rosenberg Self Esteem for Self Confidence, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 for stress level, and Body Shape Questionnaire for body image perception. This study used univariate analysis, bivariate analysis with chi-square and multivariate analysis with logistic regression test. The prevalence of eating disorders risk among the young female athletes in this study was approximately 37.2%, where 9.3% of subjects were bulimia, 5.8% were on the binge of eating disorder, and 22.1% subjects experienced eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). The multivariate analysis showed that the risk factor of eating disorders in young female athletes was the negative body image perception (p = <0.001; RP:10.5) and stress (p = 0.023; RP:3.5). Nutritional status, self-confidence, and type of exercise were not proven as the risk factors of eating disorder among young female athletes. Based on this study, it can be concluded that the negative body image perception and stress are the risk factors of eating disorders among young female athletes.


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