The Daily Frequency, Type, and Effects of Appearance Comparisons on Disordered Eating

Using experience sampling methodology, we examined the effects of frequency and occurrence of appearance-based comparisons on disordered eating behaviors (binge eating, restrictive behaviors, and weight-related exercise). A total of 161 Australian women (aged 18–48) completed a baseline measure of eating pathology. An iPhone application prompted participants 6 times daily for 7 days to self-report on appearance comparisons and disordered eating behaviors since the last assessment. We hypothesized that contemporaneously reported occurrences of both upward and downward appearance comparisons, when compared to noncomparison situations, and frequency of upward comparisons would predict disordered eating behaviors. In prospective (lagged) analyses, only upward comparisons (relative to noncomparison situations) significantly predicted the likelihood of disordered eating outcomes. Trait eating pathology had a direct effect on each disordered eating variable and also moderated the influence of upward appearance comparisons (relative to noncomparison assessments) on binge-eating episodes. The lack of a differentiated effect between contemporaneously reported occurrences of upward and downward comparisons suggests that both forms of comparison increase the likelihood of disordered eating. Women may benefit from preventive programs that focus on the detrimental consequences of appearance comparisons on disordered eating; such programs may equip women with strategies to help reduce the frequency of these comparisons.

Download Full-text

Disordered eating behaviors: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and obesity

Risky Decision Making in Psychological Disorders ◽

10.1016/b978-0-12-815002-3.00007-3 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135-148

Author(s):

Melissa T. Buelow

Keyword(s):

Binge Eating ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Disordered Eating Behaviors

Download Full-text

Problematic eating behaviors in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: Studying their relationship with psychopathology

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105320986889 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910532098688

Author(s):

Marta de Lourdes ◽

Ana Pinto-Bastos ◽

Paulo PP Machado ◽

Eva Conceição

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Binge Eating ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Self Report ◽

Grazing Behavior ◽

Face To Face ◽

Bariatric Patients ◽

Problematic Eating ◽

Problematic Eating Behaviors

This study explored the associations between individuals presenting different problematic eating behaviors (Objective/Subjective binge-eating—OBE/SBE—and Compulsive/Non-compulsive grazing—C_Grazing/NC_Grazing) and eating disorder related symptoms. About 163 pre- and 131 post-bariatric patients were assessed. Assessment included: Face-to-face clinical interview to assess binge-eating and grazing episodes, and self-report measures to assess eating disorder symptomatology, psychological distress, and negative urgency. OBE and NC_Grazing were the problematic eating behaviors most and least associated with psychopathology, respectively. OBE and C_Grazing uniquely accounted for the significant variance in the most disordered eating variables. Our findings emphasize the need for the conceptualization of grazing behavior in the spectrum of disordered eating.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and characteristics of disordered eating adolescents in cyprus: The influence of body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem, and the media

The European Journal of Counselling Psychology ◽

10.5964/ejcop.v8i1.216 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 19-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marios Argyrides ◽

Evagelia Alexiou

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Report ◽

Future Research ◽

Normal Body Mass Index ◽

Disordered Eating Behaviors ◽

The Media ◽

Eat 26

The purpose of the current study was threefold: a) to collect a very large representative sample of adolescents and assess for their levels of disordered eating behaviors; b) to describe the characteristics of adolescents with disordered eating behaviors in Cyprus based on the measures that were used in the study and c) to compare the adolescents with significant disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26 ≥ 20) to the ones without any disordered eating behaviors (EAT < 20) on all the variables of interest. A total of 2664 secondary school students responded to self-report measures assessing disordered eating, negative body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem and media influences. Results indicated that 16.04% of the overall sample of adolescents scored significantly on the EAT-26 (21.4% of females and 8.4% of males). Results also indicated that the majority of the adolescents with disordered eating behaviors were female, mainly from average socioeconomic status, normal Body Mass Index and grew up and reside in an urban area. Finally, adolescents in the disordered eating behaviors group scored significantly lower on appearance satisfaction and self-esteem and significantly higher on appearance investment, weight-related anxiety, situational dysphoria, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals as well as feeling pressured from the media and considering the media as a good source of information. In conclusion, results indicate a substantial difference in levels of disordered eating in adolescents as compared to previous research in Cyprus. Possible explanations are addressed as well as implications for prevention strategies and future research ideas based on the findings.

Download Full-text

Childhood Peer Victimization, Identity Diffusion and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Emerging Adults

Emerging Adulthood ◽

10.1177/21676968211020565 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216769682110205

Author(s):

Maria Markou ◽

Kyriakos Charalampous ◽

Spyridon Tantaros ◽

Panayiotis Stavrinides

Keyword(s):

Binge Eating ◽

Peer Victimization ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Future Research ◽

Disordered Eating Behaviors ◽

Identity Diffusion

Childhood peer victimization (CPV) has been associated with clinical and subclinical forms of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). However, less is known about the mechanisms involved in this association, especially in emerging adulthood. The present study examined the relationship between harmfulness of the CPV experiences, identity diffusion and DEBs using Structural Equation Modeling. Emphasis was given in the investigation of the indirect effect of CPV harmfulness on DEBs through identity diffusion. Data from 414 emerging adults was collected via an online questionnaire. The analysis indicated significant direct effects of CPV harmfulness on both restrictive and binge-eating. More importantly, findings supported the indirect relationship between CPV harmfulness and binge-eating through identity diffusion. Results provide preliminary support for the role of CPV harmfulness and identity diffusion as contributing factors in the development of DEBs in emerging adults. Implications for future research are discussed.

Download Full-text