scholarly journals Effects of diet and fitness apps on eating disorder behaviours: qualitative study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth V. Eikey
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Negative Messages ◽  
App Design

Background Diet and fitness apps are often promoted in university and college settings and touted as a means to improve health with little attention given to unanticipated negative effects, especially among those at risk for or with eating disorders. Aims Few researchers have studied how these apps affect women with eating disorders in university and college settings. This research investigates the unintended negative consequences of engaging with these tools. Method Data collection sessions comprised three components conducted with 24 participants: survey (demographic and eating disorder symptoms), think-aloud exercise and semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results Participants reported that diet and fitness apps trigger and exacerbate symptoms by focusing heavily on quantification, promoting overuse and providing certain types of feedback. Eight themes of negative consequences emerged: fixation on numbers, rigid diet, obsession, app dependency, high sense of achievement, extreme negative emotions, motivation from ‘negative’ messages, and excess competition. Although these themes were common when users’ focus was to lose weight or eat less, they were also prevalent when users wanted to focus explicitly on eating disorder recovery. Conclusions Unintended negative consequences are linked to the quantified self movement, conception of appropriate usage, and visual cues and feedback. This paper critically examines diet and fitness app design and discusses implications for designers, educators and clinicians. Ultimately, this research emphasises the need for a fundamental shift in how diet and fitness apps promote health, with mental health at the forefront.

Adolescents newly diagnosed with eating disorders have structural differences in brain regions linked with eating disorder symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Solstrand Dahlberg ◽  
Lyle Wiemerslage ◽  
Ingemar Swenne ◽  
Anna Larsen ◽  
Julia Stark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Structural Differences

Perfectionism is associated with higher eating disorder symptoms and lower remission in children and adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Johnston ◽  
Chloe Y. Shu ◽  
Kimberley J. Hoiles ◽  
Patrick J.F. Clarke ◽  
Hunna J. Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms

Association Between Paranoia And Anorexia Nervosa In Adolescents: What Factors Are Involved? 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gennaro Catone ◽  
Filomena Salerno ◽  
Giulia Muzzo ◽  
Valentina Lanzara ◽  
Antonella Gritti
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Body Image Concerns

Abstract Background: psychiatric comorbidities are of particular interest in Eating disorders. The association between anorexia nervosa and psychotic disorders is less studied than that with affective disorders (anxiety/depression). The aim of this study is to describe a psychotic symptom (paranoia) in adolescents with Eating Disorders looking at several potential explicative associated factors: eating disorder symptoms, body image concerns, depression and social anxiety. Our hypothesis is that paranoia in AN patients is more explained by the concomitant depression and social anxiety symptoms than core symptoms of the disease (eating disorder symptoms or body image concerns). Methods: this is a retrospective cross sectional study and consecutive, help-seeking adolescents admitted to the Eating Disorder service of the Integrated Pediatric Care Department, Luigi Vanvitelli University Hospital constituted the sample. Data was obtained trough retrospective collection of clinical interviews and self – report questionnaires administered by trained and expert child and adolescent psychiatrists. Results: We obtained data from 92 adolescents with Eating Disorders. Paranoia was dimensionally distributed in the sample (mean: 22,17 SD: 17,7; median 18 IQR: 7/36; range: 0-62). Our regression model explained that paranoia in this population was better explained by depression (coefficient= 0,415 SD: 0,210, p=0,052) and social anxiety symptoms (coefficient= 0,253 SD: 0,060; p<0,001) than eating disorder symptoms (coefficient= 0,092 SD: 0,107; p=0,398) and body image concerns (coefficient= 1,916 SD: 2,079; p=0,359) that did not retain their significance when all our predictive factors entered in the model. Conclusion: This study has some theoretical, clinical and treatment implications. It is important to carrying out screening for the presence of psychotic symptoms in patients with Eating Disorders. These symptoms and associated factors (depression and social anxiety) may complicate the clinical picture of the disease with the need, in certain cases, of psychopharmacological drugs and, among these, anti-psychotics. Finally in the psychotherapy context, paranoid idea may be subject of treatment for patient with EDs.

What Kinds of Psychotherapy Help Eating Disorder Symptoms The Most?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Timothy Walsh ◽  
Evelyn Attia ◽  
Deborah R. Glasofer
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms

Although the landscape of helpful psychotherapies for eating disorders continues to evolve, several promising interventions are already available. They differ somewhat in theory and practice but share several features. First, these talk therapies focus on the present—on the here and now. They are more...

Relationships Among Childhood Maltreatment, Limbic System Dysfunction, and Eating Disorders in College Women

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052091259
Author(s):  
Andrea E. Mercurio ◽  
Fang Hong ◽  
Carolyn Amir ◽  
Amanda R. Tarullo ◽  
Anna Samkavitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
College Women ◽  
Limbic System ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms

The mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment and eating pathology are not fully understood. We examined the mediating role of limbic system dysfunction in the relationships between three forms of childhood maltreatment (parental psychological maltreatment, parental physical maltreatment, and parental emotional neglect) and eating disorder symptoms. A convenience sample of college women ( N = 246, M age = 19.62, SD = 2.41) completed measures of maltreatment (Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales and the Parental Bonding Instrument), limbic system dysfunction (Limbic System Questionnaire), and eating pathology (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire). We hypothesized that there would be an indirect effect of each type of childhood maltreatment on eating disorder symptoms via limbic system irritability. Results generally supported the hypotheses. Examination of the individual paths that defined the indirect effect indicated that higher reported childhood maltreatment was associated with greater limbic irritability symptoms, and higher limbic irritability symptomatology was related to higher total eating disorder scores. There were no significant direct effects for any of the proposed models. Findings are in line with research supporting the role of limbic system dysfunction as a possible pathway in the maltreatment-eating disorder link. Given that limbic system dysfunction may underlie behavioral symptoms of eating disorders, efforts targeting limbic system dysfunction associated with child maltreatment might best be undertaken at an early developmental stage, although interventions for college women struggling with eating disorders are also crucial.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Eating Disorder Symptoms and Treatment Rejection among Young Adult Men in Residential Substance Use Treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. SART.S33396 ◽  
Author(s):  
JoAnna Elmquist ◽  
Ryan C. Shorey ◽  
Scott E. Anderson ◽  
Jeff R. Temple ◽  
Gregory L. Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms

Research has demonstrated that individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and comorbid mental health problems evidence heightened negative consequences, including poorer treatment outcomes, a higher risk for relapse, and mortality compared to individuals with a single disorder. In this study, we focus on the comorbidity between SUDs and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology, as EDs are similarly associated with high rates of relapse, morbidity, and mortality. Of particular importance is research examining treatment rejection among individuals in treatment for SUDs with cooccurring ED symptomatology. This study seeks to add to the literature by examining treatment rejection among young adult men in residential treatment for SUDs ( N = 68) with cooccurring ED symptomatology. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that ED symptoms were significantly associated with treatment rejection after controlling for alcohol and drug use and problems and depression symptoms. Although this is a preliminary study, the results add to a growing body of research examining the comorbidity between SUDs and ED symptomatology. Future research examining this relationship is needed to further elucidate the treatment patterns among individuals with comorbid ED symptoms and substance use diagnoses.

scholarly journals A kötődési jellemzők és multiimpulzív tünetek kapcsolata evészavarokban

2017 ◽  
Vol 158 (27) ◽  
pp. 1058-1066
Author(s):  
Tamás Dömötör Szalai
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Paternal Care ◽  
Secure Attachment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Distinct Subgroup ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract: Introduction: Attachment dysfunctions determine borderline personality disorder, which is a frequent background factor of multi-impulsivity; however, the relationship between attachment and multi-impulsive eating disorders is almost unexplored. Aim: To compare attachment features of multi-impulsive and classical eating disorder patients with individuals without eating disorders, and to test attachment as a predictor of multi-impulsivity. Method: A cross-sectional survey (148 females, mean age: 30.9 years) investigated maternal, paternal and adult attachment, depression, anxiety, eating disorder and multi-impulsive symptoms in these groups. Results: Altogether 41.3% of the individuals without eating disorders, 17.6% of classical and 11.8% of multi-impulsive eating disorder patients had secure attachment. Multi-impulsive patients had the most severe eating disorder symptoms (F(2) = 17.733) and the lowest paternal care (F(2) = 3.443). Preoccupied and fearful attachment explained 14.5% of multi-impulsive symptoms; however, with adjustment for depression only latter one remained the predictor of multi-impulsivity (t = 5.166, p<0.01). Conclusion: Multi-impulsives are a distinct subgroup of eating disorder patients from the aspects of both symptoms and attachment. Handling their negative moods may hold therapeutic potentials. Longitudinal studies are required to investigate the therapeutic value of paternal care, attachment preoccupation and fearfulness. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(27): 1058–1066.

scholarly journals Prevention of Eating Disorders at Universities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Harrer ◽  
Sophia Helen Adam ◽  
Eva-Maria Messner ◽  
Harald Baumeister ◽  
Pim Cuijpers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Eating Disorder Symptoms ◽  
Eating Disorder Prevention ◽  
Disorder Prevention

Background. Eating problems are highly prevalent among young adults. Universities could be an optimal setting to prevent eating disorders through psychological intervention. As part of the World Mental Health-International College Student initiative, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes data on the efficacy of eating disorder prevention programs targeting university students.Method. A systematic literature search of bibliographical databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) for randomized trials comparing psychological preventive interventions for eating disorders in university students to psychoeducation or inactive controls was performed through October 8th, 2018.Results. Twenty-two studies were included. Eight (36.4%) were rated to have a low risk of bias. The relative risk of developing a subthreshold or full-blown eating disorder was IRR=0.62 (95%CI: 0.44-0.87, n=8; standardized clinical interviews only), indicating a 38% decrease in incidence in the intervention groups compared to controls. Small to moderate between- group effects at post-test were found on self-reported global eating disorder symptoms (g=0.36, 95%CI: 0.25-0.47, n=20), dieting (g=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30- 0.64, n=18), body dissatisfaction (g=0.50, 95%CI: 0.33-0.67, n=14), drive for thinness (g=0.43, 95%CI: 0.27-0.59, n=12), weight concerns (g=0.33, 95%CI: 0.10-0.57, n=13) and affective symptoms (g=0.28, 95%CI: 0.16-0.40, n=14). Effects on bulimia were not significant. Heterogeneity was low to moderate across comparisons.Discussion. Eating disorder prevention on campus can have significant, small-to-moderate effects on eating disorder symptoms and risk factors. Results also suggest that the prevention of subthreshold and full-syndrome eating disorders is feasible using such interventions. More research is needed to identify effects on academic functioning, as well as ways to motivate students to use preventive eating disorder interventions.

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