The impact of spirituality on eating disorder symptomatology in ethnically diverse Canadian women

Purpose – There is a gap in the understanding of relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), urban-rural differences, ethnicity and eating disorder symptomatology. This gap has implications for access to treatment and the effectiveness of treatment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Data are presented from a major Canadian survey, analyzing the impact of body mass index (BMI), urban-non-urban residency, income, and ethnicity on eating disorder symptomatology. Findings – One of the strongest findings is that high income non-White women expressed less eating disorder symptomatology than lower income non-White women. Research limitations/implications – Future research needs to consider how factors such as urban residency, exposure to Western “thinness” ideals, and income differentials impact non-White women. Practical implications – Effective treatment of ethnic minority women requires an appreciation of complicated effects of “culture clash,” income and BMI on eating disorder symptomatology. Originality/value – This study makes a unique contribution to the literature by examining relationships between SES (income) and eating disorder symptomatology in White and non-White Canadian women. The review of the scientific literature on ethnic differences in eating disorder symptomatology revealed a disparity gap in treatment. This disparity may be a by-product of bias and lack of understanding of gender or ethnic/cultural differences by practitioners.

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Effect of Heart Rate Variability on Defensive Reaction and Eating Disorder Symptomatology in Chocolate Cravers

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803.23.3.95 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 95-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sonia Rodríguez-Ruiz ◽

Elisabeth Ruiz-Padial ◽

Nieves Vera ◽

Carmen Fernández ◽

Lourdes Anllo-Vento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Rest Period ◽

Food Craving ◽

Defensive Reaction ◽

Relevant Role ◽

Eating Disorder Symptomatology ◽

Uncontrolled Eating

The study examines the effect of heart rate variability (HRV) on the cardiac defence response (CDR) and eating disorder symptomatology in chocolate cravers. Female chocolate cravers (n = 36) and noncravers (n = 36) underwent a psychophysiological test to assess their HRV during a 5-min rest period, followed by three trials to explore the CDR, elicited by an intense white noise, during the viewing of chocolate, neutral, and unpleasant pictures. After the test, participants completed a questionnaire to measure eating disorder symptomatology. The HRV was inversely related to the magnitude of the CDR and to eating disorder symptomatology in chocolate cravers. In addition, the HRV was inversely related to the magnitude of the CDR when viewing unpleasant pictures but not to neutral or chocolate ones, across all participants. These findings support the idea that poor autonomic regulation, indexed by low HRV, plays a relevant role in food craving and uncontrolled eating behavior.

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