Assessing body dissatisfaction in Japanese women during the second trimester of pregnancy using a new figure rating scale

During pregnancy, women re‐evaluate their body image based on their increasing body weight. They are usually concerned about their body size, which leads to body dissatisfaction. In this study, we investigated body dissatisfaction among Japanese women during the second trimester, when they are recommended to gain adequate weight. A cross‐sectional survey of body dissatisfaction among pregnant women was conducted using a new figure rating scale corresponding to body mass index with real‐life photographs of women in their sixth month of gestation. Pregnant Japanese women expressed body dissatisfaction and preferred to be thinner by 1.6 kg/m² of their body mass index. They perceived their body size as larger than their real size, and those with a higher body mass index had more body dissatisfaction, although they were of normal weight or underweight. The results indicated that the new figure rating scale could be a useful tool to identify pregnant women with higher body dissatisfaction during the second trimester, providing an opportunity to discuss adequate gestational weight gain with pregnant women.     

Psychological considerations in cosmetic breast augmentation.

Within the past decade, the popularity of cosmetic breast augmentation has surged and, with it, the interest in the psychological aspects of the procedure. Investigations of women who seek cosmetic breast augmentation have examined both their psychosocial characteristics and their motivations for surgery. Dissatisfaction both with body image and with breast size and/or shape are thought to be primary motivators for surgery. It is common for women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation to have some body image dissatisfaction. However, a considerable minority may suffer from excessive dissatisfaction consistent with the psychiatric diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder, which is believed to contraindicate cosmetic surgery. Following breast augmentation, most women report satisfaction with the aesthetic result and improvements in body image. The impact of the procedure on other areas of functioning, such as self-esteem and quality of life, is less clear. These positive outcomes have been tempered by recent epidemiological studies that have identified a relationship between cosmetic breast implants and suicide. This article reviews this literature and provides recommendations to plastic surgical nurses regarding the psychological assessment and management of patients seeking breast augmentation.     

Novel Assessment of Own and Ideal Body Perception Among Women: Validation of the Computer-Generated Figure Rating Scale

Body size estimation and dissatisfaction can be assessed with figure rating scales (FRS). These scales represent a continuum of silhouettes where participants have to select the figure that best fits their perceived and/or ideal body. Nevertheless, current FRS have limitations (e.g., small number of figures). We therefore developed a novel FRS—the Computer-Generated Figure Rating Scale (CGFRS)—that consists of a broad continuum of 27 computer-generated women’s bodies. It was validated among a sample of 113 women from the community and its discriminant power was examined in a sample of 20 women diagnosed with eating disorders (compared to age-matched control women). The CGFRS presented satisfactory psychometric properties (sensitivity, test–retest reliability, content, construct and convergent validities). Moreover, the scale dissociated women with eating disorders from control women: the former group overestimated their body size more and had higher body dissatisfaction.     

The experiences of prenatal depression among Taiwanese women

Title. The experiences of prenatal depression among Taiwanese women. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to describe Taiwanese women’s experiences of prenatal depression. Background. Despite its long‐term adverse effects for both mother and child, prenatal depression has received less scholarly attention than postpartum depression. Studies to date have proposed structured measures for quantifying prenatal depression, but the characteristics of this phenomenon have not been qualitatively analysed. Method. A convenience sample of 12 Taiwanese pregnant women scoring above 15 on the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale participated in in‐depth interviews during 2005. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Findings. Unbalanced commitment to motherhood was the primary theme of the life experiences of prenatal depression in these Taiwanese women, which summarized their feelings of engagement and ambivalence towards their experiences of transition to motherhood. Five recurring sub‐themes were identified: multiple conflicting roles, lack of social support, dissatisfaction with body image, future uncertainty and emotional instability. Conclusion. Prenatal depression is a painful growth experience represented by silent and unbalanced commitment during the maternal role transition. Our findings may help healthcare professionals to understand the vulnerable experiences of pregnant women and devise preventive intervention strategies, such as prenatal education for both parents and comprehensive screening for prenatal depression in at‐risk pregnant women, so that they are better prepared for the transition to motherhood.     

Implicit Measures of Actual Versus Ideal Body Image: Relations with Self-Reported Body Dissatisfaction and Dieting Behaviors

Body dissatisfaction refers to a negative appreciation of one’s own body stemming from a discrepancy between how one perceives his/her body (actual body image) and how he/she wants it to be (ideal body image). To circumvent the limitations of self-report measures of body image, measures were developed that allow for a distinction between actual and ideal body image at the implicit level. The first goal of the present study was to investigate whether self-reported body dissatisfaction is related to implicit measures of actual and ideal body image as captured by the Relational Responding Task (RRT). Secondly, we examined whether these RRT measures were related to several indices of dieting behavior. Women high in body dissatisfaction (n?=?30) were characterized by relatively strong implicit I-am-fat beliefs, whereas their implicit I-want-to-be-thinner beliefs were similar to individuals low in body dissatisfaction (n?=?37). Implicit body image beliefs showed no added value over explicit body image beliefs in predicting body dissatisfaction and dieting behavior. These findings support the idea that the interplay between ideal and actual body image drives (self-reported) body dissatisfaction. However, strong support for the view that it would be critical to differentiate between explicit and implicit body image beliefs is missing.     

Cognitive Factors Associated with Binge and Purge Eating Behaviors: The Interaction of Body Dissatisfaction and Body Image Importance

This investigation examined the association of body dissatisfaction, body image importance, and the interaction of these variables with the disordered eating behaviors of bingeing and purging. Undergraduate women (n = 311) completed the Shape and Weight Based Self-Esteem Inventory (SAWBS; J. Geller, C. Johnston, & K. Madsen, 1997) to assess body image importance, the Body Esteem Scale (BES; S. L. Franzoi & S. A. Shields, 1984) to assess body dissatisfaction, and a self-report measure of binge and purge frequency. Hierarchical multiple regressions predicting binge and purge behaviors were conducted with body mass index and neuroticism controlled first, SAWBS and BES entered next, and the interaction of SAWBS and BES entered last. A main effects model significantly predicted binge frequency (p < .05), but was not improved by the addition of the interaction term. In contrast, the interaction term made a significant contribution to the prediction of purge frequency (p < .05). These findings indicate that body image importance and body dissatisfaction are both important factors to consider in understanding bulimic behaviors, particularly purge behavior; however, the associations of these variables with binge and purge behaviors may differ.     

Aging and exercise: Perceptions of the active lived-body

Exploring older people’s evocation of their positive experiences of aging has been proposed as a counterweight to the Western stereotype of aging as a process of decline. The aim of this article is to explore how aging women, who participate regularly in group exercise classes, perceive their own bodies and the bodies of others. This article reports on the findings from interviews with 16 women between the age of 70 and 85. We analyzed the data using qualitative content analysis. Two overarching and interrelated themes concerning body perception emerged from the interviews: “The aging body and appearance” and “The body as subject and object.” The binary discourse of old age, as either a decline or a success appears in our findings. The training contributes to a sense of well-being experienced through perceived increased physical abilities, self- image and self-esteem. Physical ability was perceived as being more important than appearance by the participants in this study, considering their preconception of an association between declining health, abilities, and older age. Involvement in physical activity appears to play a significant role in the perception of the women’s own aging. Although physical attractiveness is a desirable outcome, the most important positive impact of the group exercise was related to increased social belonging and well-being, physical abilities, and capabilities. Thus implications for practice suggests that an intensive group training contributes to the opinion that an aging body is not necessarily a barrier to positive and successful aging.     

Changes in body image experienced by adolescents with cancer.

Cancer and its treatments affect adolescents' body image. However, it is not known what factors impinge on adolescents' perception of their body image. This multiple case study explored how 5 adolescents with cancer perceived their body image and the impact of this perception on their daily life. Adolescents described their body image as "I don't look normal," a theme that comprised 2 dimensions: "I look ugly" and "I look sick." For the adolescent with cancer, these 2 dimensions evoked feelings of being vulnerably exposed: "People look at me." Consequently, adolescents adopted a new set of coping strategies to help them manage their physical appearance and social interactions: "avoiding," "maintaining normality," "testing the waters," and "peer-shield" themes. Although the adolescents perceived their body image as altered, coping mechanisms enabled adolescents to think of themselves as normal and re-establish their social lives. The results of this small study suggest 2 potential nursing approaches to facilitate adolescents' adaptation to their new body image.     

Media images,body dissatisfaction,and disordered eating in adolescent women

This article examines the literature related to the media, body image, and diet/weight issues in children and young women. The media holds an awesome power to influence young women, bombarding them with images of abnormally thin models who seem to represent the ideal. When the majority of adolescents inevitably fail to achieve the extremely thin image they crave, body dissatisfaction results, and disordered eating can begin. Emerging research in the pediatric and adolescent literature demonstrates that children as young as 5 are already anxious about their bodies, and want to be thinner. This obsessive interest in body weight is only fueled by a dramatic increase in the number of Internet Web sites devoted to disordered eating. Unfortunately many of the Web sites are "pro-ana" (pro anorexia) and "pro-mia" (pro bulimia); these Web sites encourage young people at risk to begin starving themselves, or to begin binge-purging. As nurses know, each of these scenarios can lead to serious illness, and sometimes to death.     

Body Image,Eating Attitudes and Breastfeeding Intention: Implications for Mental Health and Maternal Child Nurses

Body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating are often overlooked as personal factors that may affect pregnancy, postpartum, and infant feeding method. The current study compared body image, eating attitudes, and breastfeeding intention of first-time breastfeeding mothers to first-time non-breastfeeding mothers. A two-group, comparative design was used to analyze data for first-time mothers recruited through a large pediatric practice with multiple offices. Although there was no significant difference in body image scores between the groups, the literature suggests that body image dissatisfaction can affect the transition to motherhood and lead to more serious mental health issues. Prevention of psychiatric disorders such as eating disorders can be addressed early with information regarding body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Findings from this study have implications for mental health and maternal child health providers.     

Changes in body image during a 6-month lifestyle behaviour intervention in a sample of overweight and obese individuals

BackgroundIndividuals with long-term chronic body image dissatisfaction may experience excessive stress and negative cognitions and feelings. Changes in negative cognition about body image are often reported as outcomes of obesity treatment. In turn, body image dissatisfaction also influences behavioural adherence and success in weight loss.ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to elucidate psychological changes during 6 months of lifestyle behaviour intervention and the association of these changes with actual weight loss.MethodsThe study examined associations between body image dissatisfaction and obesity treatment-related variables among 33 overweight and obese adults (age = 38.9 ± 6.5 years) participating in a 6-month diet and exercise weight loss intervention. Measurements of body image dissatisfaction and anthropometric variables were taken at baseline and after 6-months.DiscussionSignificant improvements were observed in all physical variables (e.g. weight, percentage of body fat mass, waist and hip circumference) after intervention. Body image dissatisfaction improved significantly over the treatment, and these changes were associated with changes in obesity indicators.ConclusionsChanges in weight and body image probably influence each other dynamically. Results from this study support the inclusion of cognitive intervention aimed at improving body image in weight management programs.     

Perceptions of body image in subjects with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

This article reports on a study of the perceived body image of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relationship between body image and the severity of physical disability. Second and Jourard's Body-Cathexis Scale and Self-Cathexis Scale were used to measure satisfaction or dissatisfaction each person had with his body and self. Kurtzke's Status Disability Scale was used to determine each person's degree of physical disability. The sample consisted of 20 male veterans between 34 and 70 years of age (mean 47.6), who had MS for 7 to 44 years (mean 20.8) and a physical disability score of two to nine (mean 4.65). On the Body-Cathexis Scale, 55% (N = 11) were satisfied and 45% (N = 9) were dissatisfied with their bodies. Whereas on the Self-Cathexis Scale, 45% (N = 9) were satisfied and 55% (N = 11) were dissatisfied with self. Seven subjects (35%) were satisfied with both body and self and seven (35%) were dissatisfied with body and self. Subjects who were satisfied with body and self were older (mean 50.43 years), had MS longer (mean 22.57 years) and were more disabled (mean score 5.0). Implications for further nursing research are identified.     

Body image,interoceptive awareness,depression and eating disorder symptoms: Within-group variability among sexual minority women

This study investigates within-group differences in body image concerns among sexual minority women and their related association with eating disorders and depression. Cross-sectional data were collected in 2017 and analysed in 2020 from 201 sexual minority women in the United States. Latent profile analyses and post hoc comparison analyses were conducted to investigate within-group variability in body image concerns and to understand their impact on depressive and eating disorder symptoms. Results suggested that a 5-class solution best fit the data, with five distinct profiles emerging in patterns of interoceptive awareness, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, body shame, body surveillance and appearance anxiety. Significant differences in mean scores of depressive and eating disorder symptomatology emerged among the profiles; groups that reported low interoceptive awareness and high body image concerns experienced greater levels of eating disorder and depressive symptoms, compared to groups with average or higher levels of interoceptive awareness and average or lower body image concerns. Results underscore the significant within-group variability that exists for sexual minority women with regard to the prevalence of body image concerns, depressive symptoms and eating disorder symptoms. Efforts that aim to increase interoceptive awareness (for example, mindfulness) alongside strategies aimed at addressing negative body image concerns may be particularly effective avenues for future depression and eating disorder prevention in this diverse group. Our reporting adheres to the STROBE research reporting checklist.     

The Role of Appearance Schematicity in the Development of Adolescent Body Dissatisfaction

Although much is now known about the development of body image disturbance, relatively little is known about the role of cognitive processes. The aim of the present study was to examine longitudinally the role of appearance schemas as a predictor of body dissatisfaction change over 2 years among adolescent girls and boys. Participants were 54 Australian school students in Year 10 at Time 1 (M age = 15.1) who were assessed 2 years later when they were in Year 12 (Time 2). It was found that girls' body dissatisfaction worsened from Time 1 to Time 2 compared to boys, and that this change in girls' body dissatisfaction was related to initial appearance schematicity, but not to initial self-esteem. The results support the importance of cognitive processing models for understanding the development of body image disturbance.