Body-Related Behaviours and Cognitions: Relationship to Eating Psychopathology in Non-Clinical Women and Men

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Meyer ◽  
Lauren McPartlan ◽  
Anthony Rawlinson ◽  
Jo Bunting ◽  
Glenn Waller
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Eating Disturbances ◽  
Body Checking ◽  
Eating Psychopathology ◽  
Cognitive Patterns ◽  
Poor Body Image

Background: Eating disturbances and poor body image are maintained by body-related safety behaviours and their associated cognitions. These include body checking, avoidance, comparison and display, which can be seen as safety behaviours, maintaining eating pathology and poor body image. It is not clear from the existing literature whether these behavioural and cognitive patterns are independently related to eating psychopathology. Method: This study of a non-clinical group of women and men (N = 250) explored the association of eating attitudes and behaviours with these four elements of body-related behaviours and cognitions. Results: It was found that each of the four elements had independent associations with eating attitudes and behaviours. Those associations were not explained by anxiety or depression levels. Discussion: Whilst these findings require study within a clinical group, they suggest that all four elements of body-related behaviours and cognitions need to be considered as potential maintaining factors when formulating eating psychopathology and body image disturbance.

Body Image Avoidance, Body Dissatisfaction, and Eating Pathology

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peta Stapleton ◽  
Timothy McIntyre ◽  
Amy Bannatyne
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Eating Disturbances ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Body Image Avoidance

With research highlighting the increasing prevalence and severity of body image and eating disturbances in males, particularly athletes and regular gymnasium users, the current study examined body image and eating disturbances in a sample of male gym users and non–gym users ( N = 180). Based on previous research, it was predicted that male gym users would report greater body image disturbance (e.g., body image avoidance and body dissatisfaction) and eating pathology, compared with non–gym users. Results of the study partially supported hypotheses, revealing body dissatisfaction and eating pathology were significantly increased in male gym users. However, no significant differences were observed in body image avoidance behaviors, though this is likely because of methodological limitations associated with psychometric measures selected. The study provides preliminary evidence that male gym users do experience subclinical eating and body image concerns, with some also experiencing clinically significant symptoms that could be precursors to the later development of an eating disorder. Results of the current study highlight the importance of educating key stakeholders within health and fitness centers, through community-based interventions, to increase awareness regarding male body image and eating disturbances.

Evidence-Based Practice for the Prevention and Treatment of Body Image Disturbance and Eating Pathology in Sexual Minority Men

2019 ◽  
pp. 291-312
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Blashill ◽  
Tiffany A. Brown ◽  
Patrycja Klimek
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men

Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that are associated with significant medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and they have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder. Although considerable research has demonstrated that sexual minority males represent a high-risk group for eating disorders and body image disturbance, less research has been conducted on evidence-based practice for this population. This chapter describes the prevalence of body image disturbance and eating pathology/disorders among sexual minority men. Next, it reviews leading theoretical models that explain these concerns among sexual minority men, including objectification theory, tripartite theory, and sexual minority stress theory. It then discusses clinical interventions and prevention programs tailored to sexual minority men and briefly reviews leading treatment packages for eating pathology in the general population. A case example of enhanced cognitive–behavioral therapy with a hypothetical sexual minority male patient is presented. The chapter concludes with future directions.

The central role of body image in the explanation of the engagement in disordered eating attitudes and behaviors

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S550-S550
Author(s):  
C. Ferreira ◽  
A.L. Mendes ◽  
J. Marta-Simões
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Dietary Restraint ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Cognitive Fusion ◽  
Psychological Inflexibility ◽  
Eating Psychopathology ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Disordered Eating Attitudes

Shame is a universal emotion, that has been emphasized as a pathogenic phenomenon in well-being and mental health. In fact, although shame has been considered an adaptive defensive response, higher levels of this painful emotion are strongly associated with different mental health conditions. The current study aimed to test whether the association of external shame with eating psychopathology would be explained by the mechanisms of body image-related cognitive fusion, psychological inflexibility, and also dietary restraint. A path analysis testing a mediational model was conducted in a sample of 787 women from the general community, aged between 18 and 51 years old. The tested model accounted for 71% of the variance of eating psychopathology and revealed an excellent fit to the data. Results demonstrated that external shame's impact on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors is indirect, carried through increased body image-related cognitive fusion, psychological inflexibility related to physical appearance, and dietary restraint. These findings seem to support the association between shame and eating psychopathology. Furthermore, these data add to literature by suggesting that individuals who present higher levels of shame may present increased tendency to engage in dietary restraint and other maladaptive eating behaviors, through higher levels of body image-related psychological inflexibility and cognitive fusion. The current study seems to hold important clinical implications, highlighting the importance of developing intervention programs in the community which target shame and body image-related maladaptive attitudes and behaviors and, in turn, promote adaptive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., acceptance abilities).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Body Image and Eating Disturbances in Children: The Role of Self-Objectification

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-402
Author(s):  
Michelle I. Jongenelis ◽  
Simone Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Body Esteem ◽  
Eating Disturbances ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Body Image Disturbances ◽  
Shape Concern ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Poor Body Image

Self-objectification has been implicated in the development of body image disturbances and disordered eating among adults and adolescents. Empirical research exploring these associations among children is limited. Given body image and eating disturbances have been observed in a significant proportion of children, elucidating the factors associated with these disturbances among members of this population segment is important to informing prevention and intervention efforts. Accordingly, we cross-sectionally examined the association between self-objectification and body image and eating disturbances in 219 Australian 6- to 11-year-olds (57% classified as female children; average age = 8.37 years, SD = 1.42). Significant associations were observed between measures of self-objectification and body surveillance; body surveillance and both body shame and weight/shape concern; and weight/shape concern and dietary restraint. Results suggest early interventions targeting poor body image may need to address self-objectification, although further research is needed to firmly establish self-objectification as a risk factor for poor body image in children. Practitioners could utilize resources specifically developed for children, which encourage positive body esteem, build body confidence, support healthy relationships with food and exercise, and promote activities encouraging individuals to be attuned to how their bodies feel rather than how they look.

The Effects Of Shame, Self-compassion And Perfectionistic Self-presentation Of Body Image On Eating Psychopathology

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S428-S428
Author(s):  
A.L. Mendes ◽  
C. Ferreira ◽  
J. Marta-Simões ◽  
I.A. Trindade
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Eating Psychopathology ◽  
External Shame ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Individual

Shame is considered a painful emotion that emerges in social contexts when the individual perceives that others see the self as inferior, inadequate or defective. This emotion is associated with decreased levels of self-compassion and may trigger several defensive responses, such as the need to present a perfect body image. Furthermore, shame has been conceptualized as a key component of eating psychopathology.This study aims to explore the role of external shame in the engagement in disordered eating attitudes and behaviours through the mechanisms of self-compassion and body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation. A path analysis testing a mediational model was conducted in a sample of 469 women from the general community, aged between 18 and 35 years old.The tested model explained 49% of the eating psychopathology's variance and presented excellent fit indices. Results demonstrated that external shame has a direct effect on disordered eating behaviours and simultaneously an indirect effect through the mechanisms of self-compassion and the need to present a perfect physical appearance.These results seem to corroborate the link between shame and eating psychopathology. Additionally, these data suggest that women who present higher levels of shame show decreased self-compassion and tend to adopt compensatory maladaptive strategies, such as striving for a perfect body. Furthermore, these findings have significant clinical implications, highlighting the importance of developing new programs focused on shame and on the promotion of adaptive emotion regulation strategies, such as self-compassion.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals The German version of the Body Image Scale: Validation among a sample of cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Julian Hartung ◽  
Michael Friedrich ◽  
Peter Esser ◽  
Anja Mehnert ◽  
Antje Lehmann-Laue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Psychological Symptom ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
German Version ◽  
Body Image Scale ◽  
Composite Reliability

Objective: To translate the cancer-specific Body Image Scale (BIS) into German and to validate the translated version by assessing its psychometric properties. Methods: The state-of-the-art translation of the BIS was tested in (i) a psychosocial cancer counselling center in Leipzig and (ii) oncological wards in Berlin, Germany. Composite reliability and factor structure were investigated using confirmatory factor analysis. Item response theory (IRT)-based analyses were performed. Convergent validity was assessed via correlation with another body image questionnaire (BAS) as well as psychological symptom burden (PHQ-9, GAD-2 and DT). Psychosocial and clinical group differences were assessed using t-tests. Results: 677 patients participated (response rate 78%). Composite reliability was 0.92 and the average variance extracted was above 50%. All items had a discriminating power above the established threshold of b = 0.5 and showed optimal discriminatory power at relatively high severity levels of body image disturbance (BID) (b = 0.89-2.06). Test information was highest in patients with moderate BID ( = 1.36). The BIS was negatively correlated with the BAS (r = -0.62, p < 0.001) and positively with psychological symptom burden (e.g. PHQ-9: r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Patients who were younger, female, had undergone chemotherapy and those who were distressed by fatigue, their appearance or sexual problems had significantly higher BID. Conclusions: The German version of the BIS is a valid tool to assess BID in patients with cancer. Normative data are needed to better interpret individual scores within the clinical context.

Body-Related Behaviours and Cognitions in the Eating Disorders

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reena Amin ◽  
Clara Strauss ◽  
Glenn Waller
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Eating Disordered ◽  
Unhealthy Eating ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Different body-related behaviours and cognitions (checking, avoidance, comparison, display) have been shown to be related to unhealthy eating attitudes in a non-clinical sample. Aims: This study tested whether the use of body-related behaviours is higher in eating-disordered women than in non-clinical women. It also examined whether the use of body-related behaviours is associated with psychological characteristics (particularly anxiety, depression and narcissistic characteristics), controlling for age and eating pathology. Method: Ninety-nine adult women with diagnosed eating disorders (mean age = 30.4 years, SD = 9.44; mean body mass index = 21.9, SD = 6.39) completed standardized measures of eating pathology, anxiety and depression, narcissistic characteristics, and body-related behaviours and cognitions. Results: The Body-Related Behaviours Scale (BRBS) had acceptable levels of internal consistency in this group, and its scales were only weakly to moderately correlated with each other. There were no differences between diagnostic groups, but the clinical group had higher scores that a previous non-clinical sample on three of the scales. The four body-related behaviours had different patterns of association with eating pathology, depression and narcissistic features. However, anxiety was not associated with BRBS scores. Conclusions: The findings support the importance of a wide range of body-related behaviours and cognitions in understanding the eating disorders. However, the lack of an association with anxiety is counter to the suggestion that the various behaviours measured by the BRBS reflect safety behaviours on the part of sufferers. Depression and narcissistic features might be more important in maintaining such behaviours.

The eating attitudes, body image, and depression of Japanese female university students

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 943-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mio Yoshie ◽  
Daiki Kato ◽  
Miyuki Sadamatsu ◽  
Kyoko Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
University Students ◽  
Confidence Score ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Body Checking ◽  
Checking Behavior ◽  
Japanese Female ◽  
Eat 26

We examined the interrelationship of eating attitudes, body-checking behavior cognition, and depression among Japanese female university students. The 197 student participants were divided, according to their Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) scores, into 3 groups: high (EAT-H), medium (EAT-M), and low (EAT-L). Body-checking behavior and depression scores were compared among the 3 groups, using a 1-way analysis of variance. Results showed that the EAT-L group had the lowest scores for objective verification, body control, and depression. Further, the obsessive thoughts body image score increased as scores on the EAT-26 did, indicating that inappropriate eating attitudes have a strong impact on obsessive thoughts. In addition, the EAT-M group had a higher reassurance–confidence score than that of the EAT-L group, and the EAT-H group had the highest scores for objective verification, obsessive thoughts, body control, and depression. Implications of the findings are discussed and directions for future research proposed.

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