Understanding the role of retail therapy (RT) on body shame, weight preoccupation and body mass index (BMI)

The goal of the study is to understand the effect of retail therapy (RT) based on individuals’ body shame, body mass index (BMI) and weight preoccupation. A total of 285 female college students, with an average age of 20.55 years, were collected. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare four types of RT (i.e. therapeutic shopping motivation, positive mood reinforcement, negative mood reduction and therapeutic shopping outcomes) based on the degree of body shame, BMI and weight preoccupation. The effect of RT was significantly stronger for individuals who experience body shame. However, based on the individuals’ BMI, the effect of RT did not show statistical differences for any of the subcategories. Only negative mood reduction was significantly stronger for individuals who were highly preoccupied with their weight. Individuals who shop to compensate for personal features may do so to rectify negative perceptions of their weight. Retailers should focus on creating a shopping environment for plus-size consumers and provide a shopping environment that will change their weight perceptions by carrying a broader range of sizes in their stores. Mental health professionals should investigate RT as a modality to treat the symptoms of body image issues.

Understanding the Effect of Resistant Training and Amino Acid Supplement on Weight Perception and Body Image

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate if the combination of resistance training (RT) and an intake of amino acid supplement will have a positive impact on weight preoccupation, self-classified weight and body satisfaction. A total of 33 usable data sets were obtained from the survey among 40 women who participated in this 10-week RT program, and they were given either 5 grams of placebo or amino acid (leucine). RT and the amino acid supplement played an important role in body satisfaction overall. Determining the most effective combination of approaches to tailor recommendations for adults for optimal quality of life is crucial.

The usefulness of experience sampling in understanding the urge to move in anorexia nervosa

Background:Physical hyperactivity has often been described in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients but up until now in-depth research has been scarce. Experience sampling methodology (ESM), a structured diary technique assessing momentary mental state at random times during the day, may be useful in studying hyperactivity in AN.Methods:In two single case reports, ESM was used to investigate the variation across time of the urge to move in relation to potentially relevant eliciting conditions such as positive and negative emotions, weight preoccupation and attractiveness.Results:Frequency distribution of the involved variables indicated substantial individual differences between patients. While both patients' tendency to be hyperactive was positively related to their weight preoccupation and negative emotions, in only one patient, the urge to move turned out to be significantly related to (the absence of) positive emotions.Conclusions:ESM can be useful to test whether general theories of psychopathology apply to specific patients, and it may be conceived as an individually tailored approach to self-monitoring. As such, it may guide the clinician to devise therapeutic interventions in particular patients.