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.

Links Between Exposure to Sexualized Instagram Images and Body Image Concerns in Girls and Boys

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Marika Skowronski ◽  
Robert Busching ◽  
Barbara Krahé
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Thin Ideal Internalization ◽  
Step Model ◽  
Body Image Concerns ◽  
Muscular Ideal ◽  
Self Objectification

Abstract. The current study examined the links between viewing female and male sexualized Instagram images (SII) and body image concerns within the three-step process of self-objectification among adolescents aged 13–18 years from Germany ( N = 300, 61% female). Participants completed measures of SII use, thin- and muscular-ideal internalization, valuing appearance over competence, and body surveillance. Structural equation modeling revealed that SII use was associated with body image concerns for boys and girls via different routes. Specifically, female SII use was indirectly associated with higher body surveillance via thin-ideal internalization and subsequent valuing appearance over competence for girls. For both girls and boys, male SII use was indirectly linked to higher body surveillance via muscular-ideal internalization. Implications for the three-step model of self-objectification by sexualized social media are discussed.

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.

A Culturally Modified Application of Objectification Theory to Asian and Asian-American Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1048-1075
Author(s):  
Stacy Y. Ko ◽  
Meifen Wei
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Cosmetic Surgery ◽  
Body Esteem ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Asian American Women ◽  
Culturally Specific ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Self Objectification

In the current study we sought to find support for a culturally modified application of objectification theory to Asian and Asian American women. The positive association between socialization experiences (i.e., racial teasing and appearance-focused social pressure) and the outcome variable (i.e., consideration of cosmetic surgery) was hypothesized to be mediated by self-objectification processes (i.e., internalization of beauty standards, body surveillance, and lower body esteem). Results using path analysis showed that culturally dominant (United States) and culturally specific (Asian) internalization of beauty standards, culturally dominant (United States) and culturally specific (Asian) body surveillance, and lower body esteem were significant mediators between socialization experiences and consideration of cosmetic surgery. A multiple-group analysis demonstrated equivalence of the model for Asian international and Asian American female students, showing that both dominant and culturally specific beauty standards may contribute to self-objectification processes for this population.

Eating and Body Image Disturbances Among Transsexuals

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vocks ◽  
C. Stahn ◽  
K. Loenser ◽  
T. Legenbauer
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Image Disturbances

Depression and body image disturbances among females seeking treatment for obesity in Saudi Arabia

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moataz M. Abdel-Fattah ◽  
Abdel-Rahman A. Asal ◽  
Tamer Hifnawy ◽  
Mohamed M. Makhlouf
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Body Image Disturbances

A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Objectification and Motherhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
Olivia Donati Beech ◽  
Leah Kaufmann ◽  
Joel Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Generational Effects ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding how socialization and experiences of objectification can lead women to place excessive value on their appearance—a process known as self-objectification. Despite the number of women that are mothers, the application of objectification theory to motherhood has been relatively limited. This review synthesizes the available research exploring objectification during motherhood. We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019. The search yielded 23 studies across 20 articles, which in combination revealed strong evidence of societal objectification of mothers and self-objectification by mothers. Effects were found for pregnant and postpartum women, in both community and university samples of mothers. Outcomes included more body shame, concerns about the negative impact of breastfeeding, barriers to breastfeeding, fear of childbirth, disordered eating, and greater appearance concerns in mothers, and sexualized behaviors and body surveillance for their children. Some evidence indicated that self-objectifying may be protective for mothers in certain situations, but it was mostly associated with harmful consequences. Finally, some evidence suggested that there may be age and generational effects of objectification, which may impact all women, including mothers. We hope these findings highlight the benefits for women to engage in healthy relationships with their bodies and to consider the functionality of their body as it changes in preparation for entering motherhood.

scholarly journals Binge eating disorder, anxiety, depression and body image in grade III obesity patients

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Isabel R Matos ◽  
Luciana S Aranha ◽  
Alessandra N Faria ◽  
Sandra R G Ferreira ◽  
Josué Bacaltchuck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Body Image Disturbances ◽  
Severely Obese ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Grade Iii

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) or Binge Eating episodes (BINGE), anxiety, depression and body image disturbances in severely obese patients seeking treatment for obesity. METHOD: We assessed 50 patients (10M and 40F) with Body Mass Index (BMI) between 40 and 81.7 Kg/m² (mean 52.2±9.2 Kg/m²) and aging from 18 to 56 years (mean 38.5±9.7). Used instruments: Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns <FONT FACE=Symbol>¾</FONT> Revised (QEWP-R) for BED or BINGE assessment, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depressive symptoms, State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-TRAIT and STAI-STATE) for anxiety and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) for body image assessments. RESULTS: In this population BED and BINGE frequencies were 36% and 54%, respectively. Symptoms of depression were detected in 100% while severe symptomatology was found in 84% of the cases. The frequency of anxiety as a trait was 70%, as a state, 54% and 76% of all patients reported discomfort regarding body image. The frequency of BED was higher in patients with higher anxiety scores as a personality trait (>40) but not as a state (46% vs. 13%; p<0,05). A high frequency of BINGE was found in those with higher scores (>140) in the BSQ assessment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a high frequency of binge eating episodes, severe depressive symptoms, anxiety and concern with body image in grade III obesity patients.

scholarly journals Body Image Disturbances and Weight Bias After Obesity Surgery: Semantic and Visual Evaluation in a Controlled Study, Findings from the BodyTalk Project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Meneguzzo ◽  
Simone Claire Behrens ◽  
Angela Favaro ◽  
Elena Tenconi ◽  
Vincenzo Vindigni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Obesity Surgery ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Weight Bias ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Visual Evaluation ◽  
Overweight People ◽  
Body Image Disturbances ◽  
Body Shapes

Abstract Purpose Body image has a significant impact on the outcome of obesity surgery. This study aims to perform a semantic evaluation of body shapes in obesity surgery patients and a group of controls. Materials and Methods Thirty-four obesity surgery (OS) subjects, stable after weight loss (average 48.03 ± 18.60 kg), and 35 overweight/obese controls (MC), were enrolled in this study. Body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and body perception were evaluated with self-reported tests, and semantic evaluation of body shapes was performed with three specific tasks constructed with realistic human body stimuli. Results The OS showed a more positive body image compared to HC (p < 0.001), higher levels of depression (p < 0.019), and lower self-esteem (p < 0.000). OS patients and HC showed no difference in weight bias, but OS used a higher BMI than HC in the visualization of positive adjectives (p = 0.011). Both groups showed a mental underestimation of their body shapes. Conclusion OS patients are more psychologically burdened and have more difficulties in judging their bodies than overweight/obese peers. Their mental body representations seem not to be linked to their own BMI. Our findings provide helpful insight for the design of specific interventions in body image in obese and overweight people, as well as in OS.

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