Eating Disorder Symptoms and Body Image in Adolescents from Public Schools in Brazil

There is growing recognition of the adverse effects of body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorder (ED) symptoms on adolescent health. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ED symptoms, BID, and their relationship in adolescents from public schools in Southern Brazil. A total of 782 schoolchildren (male: n=420, female: n=362); age: 15 ± 0,4 years) answered a self-administrated questionnaire to identify sociodemographic data. Children´s Figure Rating Scale was adopted to identify body image and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was applied to investigate ED symptoms. Inferential statistics and hierarchical model-controlled logistic regression were used for association between variables. Most of the schoolchildren reported being satisfied with their bodies. However, we observed a higher prevalence of dissatisfaction among girls for being overweight and thinness among boys. Female students and students from schools located in the central area of the city showed higher chances of developing ED symptoms, and the absence of symptoms of ED appeared to act as a protective factor against BID in schoolchildren. Results of this study show the need to reflect on these factors that influence the development of ED and non-acceptance of their own body in a population concerned with their physical appearance.

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Prevalence of Eating Disorder Risk and Body Image Dissatisfaction among ROTC Cadets

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (21) ◽

pp. 8137

Author(s):

Allison Smith ◽

Dawn Emerson ◽

Zachary Winkelmann ◽

Devin Potter ◽

Toni Torres-McGehee

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Eating Disorder Risk ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Rotc Cadets ◽

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Disorder Risk

Injury risk is multifactorial including non-modifiable and modifiable factors such as nutrition and mental health. The purpose of this study was to estimate eating disorder risk and body image (BI) dissatisfaction among Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. A total of 102 (male: n = 75, female: n = 27; age: 20 ± 2 years) ROTC cadets self-reported height, current and ideal weight, and completed the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and self-perceived BI current and perceived sex-specific figural stimuli. The overall eating disorder risk for ROTC cadets was 32.4%. No significant differences were found when comparing sex, ethnicity, or military branch. Overall risk of pathogenic behaviors included 11.8% who reported binge eating; 8.8% who used laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills; 8.8% who exercised for >60 min to control their weight; and 8.8% who lost 9.1 kg or more within the last 6 months. We identified significant interactions (p ≤ 0.01) between sex of the solider, overall perceptions of male and female soldiers, and BI self-perceptions. The ROTC cadets in this study displayed eating disorder risk and BI dissatisfaction, which is concerning for tactical readiness, long-term behavioral health issues, and injury from pathogenic behaviors. Education and quality healthcare are necessary to mitigate the increased risk of eating and BI dissatisfaction within this population.

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Body image dissatisfaction, nutritional status, and eating attitudes in adolescents - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i2.11937

Acta Scientiarum Health Sciences ◽

10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i2.11937 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 243

Author(s):

Maria Fernanda Laus ◽

Michele Ghidini Souza ◽

Rita De Cássia Margarido Moreira ◽

Telma Maria Braga-Costa

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Populations At Risk ◽

Abnormal Eating ◽

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The study investigated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction, nutritional status, and eating attitudes in adolescents from a small town of the interior of São Paulo State. A total of 278 adolescents (106 boys and 172 girls) aged between 15 and 18 years had completed measures of body image dissatisfaction through the Figure Rating Scale and eating attitudes by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and had their weight and height measured. Girls related more dissatisfaction and abnormal eating behavior than boys and, in both genders the abnormal eating attitudes tend to increase with increasing dissatisfaction. Moreover, dissatisfaction was higher between those individuals classified as overweight and obesity. These results demonstrated that body image dissatisfaction and inappropriate eating behaviors afflict boys and girls even from small cities in developing countries, highlighting the need to undertake epidemiological studies to early recognition of populations at risk of developing eating disorders.

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Influence of Psychological, Anthropometric and Sociodemographic Factors on the Symptoms of Eating Disorders in Young Athletes

Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto) ◽

10.1590/1982-43272457201404 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 24 (57) ◽

pp. 21-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Leonardo de Sousa Fortes ◽

Sebastião de Sousa Almeida ◽

Maria Elisa Caputo Ferreira

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Body Image ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Skinfold Thickness ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Young Athletes ◽

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The aim of the current study was to analyse the influence of psychological, anthropometric and sociodemographic factors on the risk behaviours for eating disorders (ED) in young athletes. Participants were 580 adolescents of both sexes. We used the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), theBody Shape Questionnaire and the Commitment Exercise Scale to assess the risk behaviours for ED, body image dissatisfaction (BD) and the degree of psychological commitment to exercise (DPCE), respectively. Participants’ weight, height and skinfold thickness were measured. A multiple regression indicated that BD and percentage of fat significantly modulated ( p < .05) the variance of females’ EAT-26 scores, whereas BD, DPCE, fat percentage, age, ethnicity and competitive level significantly explained ( p < .05) the variance of risk behaviours for males’ ED. Thus, only BD influenced risk behaviours for ED in both sexes.

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Amateur ballet practicing, body image and eating behaviors: a comparative study of classical ballet dancers, gym users and sedentary women

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-021-00459-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ruty Eulália de Medeiros Eufrásio ◽

Rannapaula Lawrynhuk Urbano Ferreira ◽

Leilane Lílian Araújo Leal ◽

Erikarla Baracho Avelino ◽

Rafaela Nayara da Costa Pelonha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

The Body ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ballet Dancers ◽

Classical Ballet ◽

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Sedentary Women

Abstract Background Ballet dancers are a risk group for body image (BI) distortion, dissatisfaction and eating disorders (ED), but few studies have investigated these aspects in amateur adult practitioners. This study aimed to evaluate if amateur female adult classical ballet dancers presented different BI and behaviors for ED than gym users and sedentary women. Methods This is a cross-sectional study where classical ballet dancers (n = 19) were compared to gym users (n = 19) and sedentary women (n = 19). Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, and a figure rating scale was applied to assess BI distortion/dissatisfaction. The body shape questionnaire (BSQ) was used to measure BI concern. The eating attitudes test (EAT-26) and the bulimic investigatory test, Edinburgh (BITE) were used for behaviors toward anorexia and bulimia. Results BMI was significantly lower in ballet dancers than gym users and sedentary women (F, p = .04). BI distortion did not differ among the studied groups. BI dissatisfaction was lower (X2, p = .041) in ballet dancers (75.0%) and gym users (70.6%) compared to sedentary women (100%). Correspondence analysis showed ballet dancers were mostly not concerned with BI, which was not observed among the other groups. The EAT-26 did not differ between the studied groups. The BITE score was lower (Tukey’s post hoc test, p = .005) in the ballet dancers [mean 5.3 (5.6)] compared to the sedentary women [mean 10.9 (4.8)]. Conclusions Data suggest that amateur classical ballet practicing is associated to better BI and fewer behaviors for ED in the studied population. The lower BMI in ballet dancers might explain these findings, and further studies should explore these associations.

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Psychometric Properties of The 26-Item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26): An Application of Rasch Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1129639/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Natalie M. Papini ◽

Myungjin Jung ◽

Amanda Cook ◽

Nanette V Lopez ◽

Lauren T Ptomey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Rasch Analysis ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Relative Distribution ◽

Eating Attitudes Test ◽

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Abstract Background: The 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) is a commonly used tool to assess eating disorder risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 with a sample of adults (n=469; age=36.17±17.83 years; female =72.5%; white=66.3%; obese BMI category=58%).Methods: Rasch analysis of the EAT-26 assessed model-data fit, an item-person map to evaluate relative distribution items and persons, item difficulty, and person’s eating disorder (ED) risk level, differential item functioning (DIF), and rating scale functioning. Results: A total of 7 misfit items were removed from the final analysis due to unacceptable Infit and Outfit mean square residual values. The item-person map showed that the items were biased toward participants with moderate to high levels of ED risk and did not cover those who had low risk for having an ED (< -1 logits). The DIF analyses results showed that none of the items functioned differently across sex, but 5 items were flagged based on obesity status. The six-category Likert-type rating scale did not function well indicating a different response format may be needed.Conclusion: Several concerns were identified with the psychometric evaluation of the EAT-26 that may question its utility in assessing ED risk. Because the EAT-26 is a frequently used screening tool for nonclinical populations, future work should focus on developing screening tools that are more effective at assessing ED risk in people with overweight and obesity.

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The Association of Body Image With Anthropometric Measures and Eating Disorders Among Students From University Sports Teams

International journal of epidemiologic research ◽

10.15171/ijer.2019.21 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 114-119

Author(s):

Nastaran Miri ◽

Mostafa Noroozi ◽

Rosa Zavoshy ◽

Neda Ezzeddin

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Body Image ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

The Body ◽

Anthropometric Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sports Teams ◽

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Background and aims: Body image is defined as a complex concept involving a person’s thoughts, feelings, and attitudes about his/her body. The body image dissatisfaction may expose the individuals, specifically athletes, to eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this study is to assess the association of body image score with EDs and anthropometric measures in students from university sports teams. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 225 students from sports teams of Qazvin University in 2014. The samples were selected by the census method. The Multidimensional BodySelf Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), eating attitudes test (EAT-26) questionnaire, and demographic information questionnaire were used for collecting data. Anthropometric characteristics were also measured. The data were analyzed in SPSS software version 22.0. Results: The result of the study showed that the association of body image score with age (P=0.012, OR=0.80, CI=0.179, 1.437) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (P=0.013, OR=-52.14, CI=-93.20, -11.08) was positively significant. Although the mean body image score was lower in students with EDs, it was not statistically significant. In addition, there was not a significant association between body image score and other variables such as marital status, gender, educational level, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and hip circumference (HC) (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the body image had a positive significant association with age, and a negative significant one with WHtR. This may indicate that abdominal obesity plays an important role in body image satisfaction among students from the university sports teams.

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Sport Activity as Risk or Protective Factor in Feeding and Eating Disorder

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs9120143 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 143

Author(s):

Salvatore Iuso ◽

Antonello Bellomo ◽

Tiziana Pagano ◽

Raffaella Carnevale ◽

Antonio Ventriglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorder ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Mood State ◽

Sport Activity ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Competitive Athletes ◽

Oral Control ◽

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Anxiety Depression

Emerging evidence suggests controversial results on the associations between sport activity and eating disorders (EDs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sport activity in general, weight-dependent/independent sport activity particularly, and risk or protective factors in feeding and eating disorder (FED). The sample (n = 282, divided into two successive groups), included competitive athletes in the first analysis, non-competitive athletes, and sedentary peers; in the second analysis it has been divided into weight-dependent athletes, weight-independent athletes, non-competitive athletes, and sedentary peers. The participants were tested with Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire, Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and Body Uneasiness Test (BUT). The results show higher levels of self-esteem among athletes in general and particularly in weight-independent athletes (p = 0.0210). We found higher levels of image and body dissatisfaction among sedentary peers and weight-dependent athletes (0.0005 < p < 0.0015). Sedentary peers also reported higher levels of tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, confusion/bewilderment and fatigue/inertia (0.0001 < p < 0.0331). Dieting and oral control were found to be higher among weight-dependent athletes (0.0337 < p < 0.0400). The findings suggest that sedentary condition is associated with higher levels of body-image discomfort and higher level of psychological distress, whereas weight-dependent athletes may report dietary issues and bodily concerns. Sport activity should be promoted and specific trainings on diet and body-consciousness encouraged among athletes.

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Body Image Concern and Eating Disorder Symptoms Among Elite Icelandic Athletes

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16152728 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (15) ◽

pp. 2728 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir ◽

Petra Sigurðardóttir ◽

Sigurlaug Jónsdóttir ◽

Guðlaug Þorsteinsdóttir ◽

Jose Saavedra

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Body Image ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

The Body ◽

Real Problem ◽

Eating Disorder Examination ◽

Body Image Concern ◽

Body Image Concerns

The aim of this study was to analyse body image concerns and symptoms of eating disorders in elite Icelandic athletes according to their sex, and sport practiced. The participants were 755 athletes (24.8 ± 3.5 years in age) who compete at the highest possible level in Iceland. Representing 20 different sports, they were divided into five sports groups. Three questionnaires were used: the Body Shape Questionnaire to assess body image concerns; the Bulimia Test-Revised to assess the main symptoms of bulimia; and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire to identify disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. A chi-squared test was used to analyse differences in prevalence of body image concern and eating disorders, a t-test for the differences between men and women, and a one-way ANOVA to compare the different sports. The main findings were that 17.9% of the athletes presented severe or moderate body image dissatisfaction, and 18.2% (25.3% of the women) were above the clinical cutoff for body image concern. Women’s scores were higher than men’s (whole sample and ball games) in all variables except restraint. These results seem to point to the existence of a real problem that athlete, coaches, doctors, and institutions need to take into account.

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Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes: An Exploratory Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16214177 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (21) ◽

pp. 4177 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Aparicio-Martinez ◽

Perea-Moreno ◽

Martinez-Jimenez ◽

Redel-Macías ◽

Pagliari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Body Image ◽

Body Dissatisfaction ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Prenatal Testosterone ◽

Beauty Ideals ◽

Body Concerns ◽

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Disordered Eating Attitudes

Disordered eating attitudes are rapidly increasing, especially among young women in their twenties. These disordered behaviours result from the interaction of several factors, including beauty ideals. A significant factor is social media, by which the unrealistic beauty ideals are popularized and may lead to these behaviours. The objectives of this study were, first, to determine the relationship between disordered eating behaviours among female university students and sociocultural factors, such as the use of social network sites, beauty ideals, body satisfaction, body image and the body image desired to achieve and, second, to determine whether there is a sensitive relationship between disordered eating attitudes, addiction to social networks, and testosterone levels as a biological factor. The data (N = 168) was obtained using validated surveys (EAT-26, BSQ, CIPE-a, SNSA) and indirect measures of prenatal testosterone. The data was analysed using chi-square, Student’s t-test, correlation tests and logistic regression tests. The results showed that disordered eating attitudes were linked to self-esteem (p < 0.001), body image (p < 0.001), body desired to achieve (p < 0.001), the use of social media (p < 0.001) and prenatal testosterone (p < 0.01). The findings presented in this study suggest a relationship between body image, body concerns, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating attitudes among college women.

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Disordered eating attitudes correlate with body dissatisfaction among Kuwaiti male college students

Journal of Eating Disorders ◽

10.1186/s40337-019-0265-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mariam Ebrahim ◽

Dalal Alkazemi ◽

Tasleem A. Zafar ◽

Stan Kubow

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Body Dissatisfaction ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Body Fat ◽

Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Male College ◽

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Disordered Eating Attitudes ◽

Male College Students

Abstract Background The prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction based on muscularity and body fat was investigated among male college students in Kuwait with a range of body mass index values including underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese participants. Methods Data were collected, using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG), from 400 male undergraduate students (84.8% Kuwaiti nationals) recruited from both public and private universities in Kuwait. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of symptomatology indicative of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and to examine the associations between body dissatisfaction and muscularity and body fat. Results Most participants were dissatisfied with their current muscle mass and body fat (67.3 and 69%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses produced odds ratios (ORs) demonstrating that students dissatisfied with their muscularity and body fat and those who indicated a desire to decrease both muscularity and body fat had significantly higher odds of being at risk of disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.241, 95% CI [1.17, 3.6], p = .032, and OR = 1.898, 95% CI [1.214, 2.967], p = .005, respectively). Obese participants also had higher odds of exhibiting disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.06, 95% CI [1.17, 3.60], p = .011). Conclusion The high proportion of disordered eating attitudes among Kuwaiti college men was associated with high levels of body image dissatisfaction in relation to both body fat and muscularity. High levels of eating disorder symptoms were also linked to obesity.

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